Thursday, September 10, 2009

By Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer

Amanda Muliawan, a semifinalist in the state singles tournament last year, returns for her sophomore campaign as Bergen County’s top player.

FRANKLIN LAKES – Last year, Ramapo’s girls tennis team was as strong and as deep as any in North Jersey. The Green Raiders had a magical season that included an NBIL Division 1 title, a Bergen County Groups 3-4 championship and a berth in the Group 3 state final. While last year’s team was a mix of experience and dynamic freshman in Amanda Muliawan at the top of the lineup, this year Ramapo came in with several questions marks as it tries to repeat its success of a year ago.

Although they return just two starters, a convincing season-opening sweep over Holy Angels is an early indicator that the Raiders will again take their place this season among Bergen County’s elite teams.

“I had some questions coming into the season, but I feel good about where we are,” said Ramapo head coach Kim Marchese. “I feel we are way ahead of where I thought we would be at this point.”

Muliawan, a semifinalist in the state singles tournament last year, returns for her sophomore campaign as Bergen County’s top player. She can beat an opponent in a multitude of ways. The sophomore is at her best though when she is at the baseline overpowering her opponents with powerful ground strokes.

The only other returning starter, Katie Nerlino, moves into the No. 2 singles slot and dropped only one game in the win over Holy Angels. Ashley Garbaccio rounds out the singles in the No. 3 position and has also shown vast improvement over last year.

Ashley Garbaccio steps into the third single spot as one of Ramapo's five new starters.

“It will be tough to fill the shoes of the lineup we had last year, but I think we’re more than capable of doing that,” said Muliawan. “There may be some unfamiliar names in our lineup, but we have a lot of girls that have really improved. We have trained really hard and we’re ready to make another run at a great season.”

How successful Ramapo will be this year will likely come down to the play of their doubles tandems. Lauren Hartgers and Julie Friedberg, who were both alternates and earned varsity letters last year, will be at first doubles. The second doubles team consists of senior captain Christina Fusilli and Allison Nolte, who has been the big surprise of the pre-season.

“We know the pressure that’s on us, but this is where we want to be,” said Fusilli. “A lot of the JV players from last year got to get some varsity experience, which helps us coming into this year. We had a good opening match. I think it shows we’re a better team than people might think.”

Tenafly and Pascack Hills came into this season widely regarded as the teams to beat in Bergen County. But Ramapo is still right in the mix and has no intentions of giving up its county title.

“I felt Tenafly and Pascack Hills were a level better than anyone, but now I think we have the potential to be on par with them,” added Marchese. “This team is so different than last year, but I feel we can be just as successful. Amanda is as good as they get at the top of the lineup, Christina gives us great senior leadership, and the rest of the team is quickly rounding into form. We have not had one bad day of practice yet. That hard work always pays off well in the end.”

FOR MORE PHOTOS OF THIS EVENT OR TO BUY A COLLECTOR'S PRINT OF THIS GAME STORY, PLEASE VISIT 4FeetGrafix.com.