Mustangs anxious to compete in state, county tournaments

Brick Memorial’s tennis team, eliminated in its Shore Conference Tournament opener by Freehold Boro, 4-1, can set its sights on another goal as an NJSIAA tourney qualifier after last weekend’s cutoff.

The team also clinched a second straight winning season while its players appear well prepared for the Ocean County Tournament this weekend.

“They all have the ability to get to the semifinals,” said coach Ron Gerlufsen, who entered all three singles players and both doubles teams in the tournament.

Leading the way is Colin Przybyowski, who goes into the week with an impressive 13-3 record and played a big part in a 3-1 week that included sweeps of Brick Township, with star player Kobe Attias, and Manchester and a 4-1 victory over Toms River South.

“I hope he can make it to the [Ocean County Tournament] semis,” said Gerlufsen. “He’s really above the expectations we had at the beginning of the season. He’s been spectacular.”

The Mustangs last Friday dropped a 4-1 verdict to Toms River East after winning six of seven matches to go 12-5 on the season, 6-4 in the Shore Conference A South with two conference matches left.

“I’m really pleased with the level of play the kids are competing at on a very inexperienced team,” said Gerlufsen. “They’ve really overachieved.”

Also doing well are Nick Cittadino, who is 11-5 in second singles, and Mike Brown, who is 12-5 in third singles. The first doubles team of Matt Stillwagon and Eric Mindyk are 11-6.

Seedings for teams that qualified for the NJSIAA Tournament, which begins Thursday, and players in the Ocean County Tournament will be released today.

— Wayne Witkowski