Are you being served?
Spring tennis charges into the NJSIAA tournament

Danny Breslauer
H.P. Mirror Staff

The sign of a good program is one that can turn high school kids into responsible young men. For the Highland Park High School boys tennis team and head coach Tom Sclafani, this hasn’t been a problem in recent years.

“In four years as coach, the only problem I’ve had is that one kid got detention,” Sclafani said. “You look up and down this roster, they’re all good kids. They’re going to some prestigious schools and if my kids grew up to be like them, I’d be the happiest guy out there.”

To add accolades to the coach’s pride, his squad has also been consistently successful over those four years. Tennis has a rich tradition at Highland Park, with girls head coach Bob Kertes leading his group to consecutive double-digit win seasons and a sectional title just two years ago.

The boys have kept up their end of the bargain and as the state tournament cut-off passed on Apr. 29, their record of 4-3 qualified them for Central Jersey Group I postseason play beginning May 8th.

Close meet Owls’ sole division loss

“I’m really pleased with the way the team has come together,” Sclafani said. “We’ve played a tough out-of-division schedule, so the experience has truly helped our guys improve by the day.”

The Owls are in second place in the Blue Division, with their only division loss coming at the hands of Blue leader South River, 3 matches to 2.

“At the beginning of the year, you looked at the rankings and Middlesex and South River were both in the Top 10,” Sclafani said. “We beat Middlesex and we’re on the same level as South River. That’s really saying something.”

HPHS is balanced at all levels, with strong production up-and-down from their singles and doubles starters. In high school tennis, you must win your spot through challenge matches during daily practice, a system that encourages Sclafani’s athletes to bring 100 percent every day.

“I really like the challenge match concept,” Sclafani said. “It makes for harder practices and elevates each guy’s level of play. Tennis is a mental game and this aspect of practice makes each of them fight hard to hold their ground.”

Senior aces lead the charge

Control of the reins at first singles recently switched rackets: senior Mike Rong, who was seeded #11 of 32 in the county tournament, jumped over senior Ash Sharker. Sharker will now be the second-singles competitor.

“Both of these guys have contributed so much to the program,” Sclafani said. “They will be battling for that spot for the remainder of the season. I’m confident in that, as all of the guys are intelligent enough to adjust to their roles.”

When Sclafani used the word “intelligent,” he wasn’t kidding. The roster is sending seniors to University of Chicago, Rutgers’ extended medical school program, Columbia University and Harvard University.

Of the 19 players on the roster, nearly all made honor roll, according to Sclafani. “They all do well in the classroom and on the court,” Sclafani said. “It’s really a joy to have that luxury where all the kids know how important that is.”

Underclassmen promise to keep the program strong

Back on the court, one of the biggest up-and-coming stars in the program is sophomore Jun Shin at third singles. The second-year player defeated a defending county runner-up from JFK-Iselin and garnered enough respect at the county tournament meeting to be placed on the five-seed line.

Shin is “such a talented tennis player,” Sclafani said. “In a couple years, he’ll be competing in the state tournament because his level of play will be that high. That’s saying something when it comes to tennis in this area.”

At first doubles, the Owls have done the unthinkable by sliding two freshmen into the pressure spot, Sam Feingold and Esa Zuberman-Leibman. The duo has responded and recently played a highly-competitive match with a JFK-Iselin pair who won counties last season.

“I can’t say enough about those two,” Sclafani said. “They’re a big part of the future for us and they’ve impressed me tremendously with their work ethic.”

At second doubles, seniors Jesse Liu and Mike Bachman have also combined to continue their stellar play from last season. Sclafani complimented the leadership capabilities of this veteran duo, Sharker, Rong and another member of the squad, Yancy Hu.

“I really like how all of these guys have taken charge,” Sclafani said. “It’s real important to have senior leaders and they’ve all provided that. The way they carry themselves, they’re true role models for the younger guys. That’s what this team is all about.”