"Player's coach" brings a jolt to boys tennis program

One of the main challenges for any high school tennis coach is finding the correct blend of players to create a formidable and stable lineup. Highland Park High School boys tennis first-year head coach Mike Kaufman has brought a different mindset to that task.

The 2000 HPHS graduate, former tennis player and current junior varsity soccer coach has started off on the right foot with the program.

“I’ve always liked the sport,” said the 29-year-old Kaufman. “Having played tennis in high school and coming over from the coaching in soccer, there was an opportunity to bring that intensity to tennis. That was exciting to me and the guys have responded really well to it.”

The 2010 Owls finished 12-3 under Bob Kertes and lost in the Central Jersey Group I quarterfinals to South River. HP returns the majority of what was a youth-filled team last spring.

“The biggest thing I learned is we’re a deep a team,” Kaufman said. “One through 15, we’re very deep. We’ve gotten better and are more mature with a great work ethic. I’m trying to match guys based on consistency and the range they bring to the court.”

Kaufman attacks tennis differently than HP’s coaches have in the past. His practices and match plans are more pointed and detailed.

“We’re working really hard to give a lot of strategy, movement, teamwork and talking. It takes time to implement all that,” Kaufman said. “It’s talking about game plans, how to get yourself settled during stressful situations and complementing emotions with the strategy.”

At first singles, sophomore newcomer Phulani Hove has burst onto the scene for Highland Park. Hove came to the United States from Zimbabwe earlier in the school year.

“Phulani’s a tremendous athlete and a very well-trained tennis player,” Kaufman said. “He has a clean stroke, is very technical and will be a solid number one player.”

Senior Sam Finegold will slide in at second singles after going 9-8 in the first singles position in 2010. Expectations are high for him this season.

“He’s just a competitor,” Kaufman said. “He has solid strokes but mentally and physically, he’s very tough. Sam’s not going to give up on any single point and will make you earn what you get.”

All-Blue Division honoree and Greater Middlesex Conference semifinalist senior Asa Zuberman-Leibman returns at third singles.

“He moved to third singles midway through his sophomore year,” Kaufman said. “Since then, he’s undefeated outside of the GMC loss in regular season play at that level.”

While Kaufman admits he’s still actively shuffling the doubles rotation, juniors Steve Zheng, Carl Lin and Zhao Yong join sophomores Yang Xu and Jacob Choi as well as seniors Alvin Choi and Michael Chernin in the mix.

“You have a pretty mixed skill set in this group,” Kaufman said. “Some guys with big serves and ground strokes but not all of them are consistent. That’s where we’re trying to match guys, based on who can remain consistent.”

Kaufman praised the efforts of fellow 2000 HPHS graduates and tennis alumni Carey Sherman and Will Jacobawitz, who have volunteered their time to hit with the players and assist the current team. He believes the importance of alumni interaction and practice discipline are things Coach Keith Roig impressed upon him within the soccer program.

“Besides the fitness and intensity, we have regular practice routines and clear expectations for the group,” Kaufman said. “Things are timed out so you’re getting to everything. Focusing for two hours mentally and physically without downtime is important.”

During his maiden voyage leading HP boys tennis, which had a successful exhibition season, Kaufman sought out his veterans for some insight into the team as a whole.

“I knew about the success from last year and definitely spoke a lot to Sam and Asa leading up to the season,” Kaufman said. “I had a strong sense in terms of what to expect but I debated whether to emphasize long-term goals versus day-in and day-out stuff. We’re starting to see how the routine is helping us.”

Despite his desire to focus on the small steps that lead to a positive season, the head coach did assess the opportunities at hand for the Owls.

“The Blue Division is definitely winnable,” Kaufman said. “Central Jersey is winnable but we need to focus on playing good, successful tennis. This group comes out and works hard and that’s what we need to do.”