Friday, September 7, 2007

By Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer

Ramapo's Kelly Irwin (above) teamed with Kelly Mitchell in dropping just two games at second doubles.

FRANKLIN LAKES – Almost one year ago to the day, the Ramapo girls tennis players felt nothing but disappointment after a bitter 3-2 loss to archrival Northern Highlands. While the Raiders rebounded to win 18 consecutive matches from that point on, including two wins over the Highlanders, the sting from the loss still resonates among some of the Green Raiders who have the goal of finishing with an unbeaten record in league play.

On Thursday in the season opener for both teams, Ramapo took its first, and quite possibly its biggest, step towards that goal.

Northern Highlands took the top two singles slots, but Ramapo won easily at third singles and both doubles to lift the Green Raiders to a season-opening 3-2 triumph.

“It’s nice to get off on the right foot,” said Ramapo senior captain Kayla Arno, playing this season with Briana Hartgers at first doubles. “We worked really hard especially knowing that Northern Highlands was going to be our first match of the year. I’m glad we didn’t come out nervous and it seemed like everyone was playing aggressive.”

Ramapo notched the first point as Danielle Weiner used her effective ground strokes to overpower Stella Tello, en route to a 6-0, 6-2 win at third singles. Northern Highlands evened the score behind its ace, Laura Danzig. Danzig, one of the states best players, broke early in both sets on her way to a 6-1, 6-2 win at first singles.

Ramapo's Danielle Weiner was efficient in a 6-0, 6-2, win at third singles.

Both of Ramapo’s doubles tandems showed that they were in sync right from the opening game in their respective matches. Kelly Irwin and Kelly Mitchell dropped just two games at second doubles, and Arno and Hartgers followed suit with strong net play to score the clinching point with a 6-3, 6-2 victory.

“Communication during the match is really big part of how you succeed in doubles,” said Hartgers, a senior who is in her first season as a starter. “We know the team is counting on us to get a point and we have to come through when the pressure is on. I think it helps that we all get along so well. Kayla and I just have a good understanding of one another on and off the court and we work really well as a team.”

At second singles, Northern Highlands’ Karen Cash needed over two hours to outlast Erin Nerlino in the only three-set match of the afternoon, 6-3, 0-6, 6-4.

The outcome was of much importance to Ramapo on both a team and individual level. The win gave Ramapo a leg up on its top competitor in the league standings, and all of the flights played yesterday will be important for county seedings. The tournament will be played next weekend at Northern Valley/Old Tappan High School.

“I think we came in as prepared as we could be,” added Arno. “Beating Northern Highlands is always a big win for us. It definitely gives us confidence and now we have some momentum going into the counties next weekend.”

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