Township tennis team wraps up strong season

BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI
Staff Writer

First singles is one position that can take its lumps against the grueling competition of the Shore Conference.

But senior Kendra Appleheimer had her share of memorable moments while going 9-11 for Brick Township's tennis team, which suffered a number of close losses in a 5-12 season.

"Lose or win, our matches were close," said coach Bob Hudak, who pointed to a 3-2 victory over Southern and a 3-2 loss to crosstown rival Brick Memorial.

Appleheimer, the No. 2 student in her class, is leaning toward a college career at Stevens Tech.

Among her gritty matches was a hard-earned victory over Brick Memorial's Nicole Esposito, who has had a USTA ranking.

She also lost a three-set match to the Toms River South player in the second round of the Ocean County Tournament.

The only other seniors on the roster that saw action are second doubles players Tracy Ganjoin (an All-State bowler out for the first time), Julie Sisselman and Leah Theil.

Tara Wasylak, a sophomore, was steady at second singles and sophomore Vicky DeTata "improved the most," said Hudak. DeTata started at second doubles, worked her way up to first doubles before finishing the season at third singles.

Coming from a family of three older sisters competing in NCAA Division I this fall - Marissa in cross country at Rutgers and Kathy and Alessandra in soccer at Seton Hall and Monmouth, respectively - Vicky DeTata is expected to compete hard for the first singles spot next fall.

Both players from first doubles are back and also may be vying for a singles

spot - junior Amy Nelson and sophomore Cara McConaghie, who started out at third singles.

"Next year, she'll be fighting for a singles spot," said Hudak.

He also expects to have on the varsity roster Corinnne Miller, a junior who played first singles on the junior varsity, and sophomore Lisa Francavilia, who came up from the jayvee to play some second doubles for the varsity.

- Wayne Witkowski