Wednesday, October 10, 2012

NJSIAA North 2, Group 2 playoffs
Leonia is all Reich after state tourney win over Bernards

Leonia's Jessica Reich.

By Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer

RIDGEFIELD PARK – Over the past few years, Leonia's tennis team has earned its reputation as one that peaks at the right time. With four straight section titles in North 2, Group 1, the Lions have created a tradition of winning championships. But with a big step up in class to North 2, Group 2 this season, the Lions found out quickly that carrying on past success will be much harder. Facing a dire situation on Tuesday in their sectional quarterfinal match against Bernards Leonia had just one player left on the court, its least experienced player to boot, with its playoff fate hanging on the outcome. Freshman first-singles player Jessica Reich may be short in stature (5-feet tall) but she showed her heart and her will to win are bigger than anyone could have possibly imagined when she faced off against another freshman, Bernards’ Katherine Apt. Reich’s never-say-die approach paid huge dividends as she rallied from a 4-1 deficit in the second set and a 4-0 deficit in the third and deciding set tas second-seeded Leonia survived a scare and knocked off tenth-seeded Bernards, 3-2, at Overpeck County Park. MORE...

NJSIAA North 1, Group 2 playoffs
Two Cangianos; too much for Lodi in Ramsey's state tourney win

Ramsey's Erin Cangiano.

By Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer

RAMSEY – For twin sisters Erin and Lorin Cangiano, it felt like just yesterday that they stepped into the varsity lineup as freshmen just happy to be playing doubles together. Like it is for most high school athletes, especially those that start as freshmen, it seemed like the sisters would be playing for the Ramsey tennis team forever. But before Friday's state tournament match against Lodi, it dawned on the Congiano sisters that this will likely be the last home state tournament match and a loss would them with a disappointment that they would never get another chance to rectify. Neither Cangiano sister was going to let the other, nor the rest of their teammates down, and they made sure yesterday's match was one to cherish. As fate would have it, both Erin at first singles and Lorin at second singles won by identical 6-1, 6-0 scores to lead fifth-seeded Ramsey to a 5-0 sweep over No. 12 seed Lodi in a opening round of the North 1, Group 2 state state sectional tournament at Ramsey High School. MORE...

Colas gives herself a present and Dwight-Englewood a win

Dwight-Englewood's Alexa Colas.

By Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer

DEMAREST – It was her birthday and Dwight-Englewood senior Alexa Colas knew what she wanted. She wanted her mother, Dr. Juana Colas, to see her play a high school tennis match, which is not always easy because of the busy schedule that goes with being a physician With the proper arrangements made and Dr. Colas in attendance, the Bulldogs took on Northern Valley/Demarest on Friday and the result was an impromptu 'surprise' party that nobody could have seen coming. While the mother looked on from the outside of the courts, the daughter was on center stage, locked in a battle with Nicole Minassian at second singles and the outcome of that match would decide which of the two teams remained unbeaten. Alexa Colas scored breaks in the last game of each set, including four straight points in the 10th game of Set No. 2 to give herself a birthday present to remember, a 7-5, 6-4 victory that gave Dwight-Englewood a 3-2 triumph over the Norsewomen at Northern Valley/Demarest High School. MORE...

Pascack Hills enjoying its fast start and win over Ramsey

Pascack Hills' Olivia Cheng.

By Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer

RAMSEY – When it comes to high school tennis, most of the press goes to the high-caliber players looking to collect titles and move on to play at the next level. And while having that clear-cut No. 1 player at the top of a flight is certainly a luxury, that is not what makes high school tennis what it is today. The fun part of playing high school tennis is the camaraderie among players who could never find any of that atmosphere of teamwork on the cut-throat USTA circuit. Pascack Hills has been as successful as any team in North Jersey over the past decade and the bond between teammates has been a big part of that. Although the skill level and experience as a whole is not the same as some of the great Cowgirl teams have had in years past, this year’s squad still has the same high expectations and they plan on having a lot of fun along the way. In a showdown with previously undefeated Ramsey for first place in the Big North Conference-Patriot Division, the Cowgirls sent a strong message that despite a shuffled lineup, they are still the team to beat. MORE...