Wednesday, September 5, 2007

By Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer

Senior Kayla Arno (above) will team with and Briana Hartgers at first doubles.

FRANKLIN LAKES – By all accounts, last year was a dream season for the Ramapo girls tennis team. After suffering a loss to rival Northern Highlands in the second match of the season, the Green Raiders embarked on a 17-match winning streak, which included league, county (Groups 3-4), and section titles along the way. Even more impressive than all of those accomplishments was the Raiders’ final match of the season.

In the Group 3 semifinals, they went toe-to-toe with the top-ranked team in the state, hanging in valiantly before falling 3-2. It was the only time that Millburn was tested all year on its way to an undefeated season and the Tournament of Champions title.

The ending was bittersweet as Ramapo played its best and gave Millburn a run for its money, but it also made the Raiders realize how close they actually were to doing bigger and better things.

Junior Michelle Pratt moves up from third, where she won a county title, to first singles.

“We are so close to doing greater things like winning a state title that we can taste it,” said Ramapo senior captain Kayla Arno. “I think we just got on a roll last year and it carried us into the state tournament. We are missing a few key players from last year, but we’re more prepared this year. We want to build on our success from last year and take it a step further.”

Gone is Ramapo’s all-county star at first singles, Cassie Porter. Stepping into her slot will be Michelle Pratt, who was last year’s Bergen County Group 3-4 third singles champion. Erin Nerlino combined with the now graduated Jaime Berger to finish 2nd last year at the state doubles tournament. This year, Nerlino will have the court all to herself at the No. 2 slot.

To show how deep this team is, Danielle Weiner, last year’s Bergen County Groups 3-4 second singles finalist, is now at third singles. All three of Ramapo's singles players are juniors and give the team plenty of experience.

Arno, who played second doubles last year, and Briana Hartgers are entrenched as the first doubles tandem. Two teams are still battling it out and will likely split time at second doubles. Kerry Irwin and Kelly Mitchell comprise one duo and Laura Sirotkin and Sarah Conforti make up the other.

All three of Ramapo's singles players are juniors, including Danielle Weiner.

“We’re blessed with having a lot of talent and a lot of depth as well,” said Ramapo head coach Kim Marchese. “I have a ton of confidence in our singles players and we have a ton of depth and talent with our doubles also. We have a chance to win every position in every match. I think staying healthy is going to be a big key for us as it always is. If we can stay healthy, we should have another strong season.”

An early measuring stick awaits on the season’s first day and the Raiders will have a rugged first three weeks. They open with rival Northern Highlands and their dynamic duo of Laura Danzig, the defending Groups 3-4 first singles champ, and Karen Cash. The following weekend is the county tournament, and then Ramapo will face state powerhouse Montclair-Kimberley Academy.

“I think after the MKA match, we’ll really know where we stand as a team,” added Marchese. “We know the goals that we have set out for ourselves and we’ll try to achieve them starting on Thursday against Northern Highlands. The tough matches show both where you are as a team and where you need to improve. Either way, we’re all excited to get the season going and take these challenges head-on.”

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