Racking Up Wins: Toms River North Wins Ocean County Tennis Tournament Title

  The rainy weather delayed the coronation, but the Ocean County Girls Tennis Tournament title returned to earlier this week.

  The Mariners, who were 11-1 as of Thursday morning, won their 11th county championship, but their first since 2007. Toms River North won the flight-style tournament with 33 points. The tournament was held at the Bey Lea tennis complex in Toms River.

  which entered the tournament as defending champions, was second with 27 points followed by Point Pleasant Beach (22), Jackson Memorial (21), Barnegat (17) and Lacey (13).

  Two Toms River North singles players and one doubles team won championships. The Mariners also finished second at third singles and first doubles.

  “Seeing the girls improve as the season went on was very rewarding,’’ said Toms River North coach Steve Hill, who is in his 13th season as head coach. “One of our goals was to with the Ocean County Tournament.

  “We may not always be able to compete with some of the better programs in Monmouth County and around the state, but we always try to be the best we can be.’’

  Hill noted that while the top tennis programs have players ranked nationally, many of his team members are seasonal tennis players.

  “Our top two players are three-sport athletes,’’ Hill said. “For the most part, our girls don’t play year around.’’

  Hill, who founded the county tournament, noted coaches from all the participating schools go to great lengths to make the tournament competitive and fun for the players. The tournament has added consolation matches and an open third doubles flight allowing more girls to participate.

  “I think all the coaches in Ocean County are on the same page when it comes to what the county tournament should be,’’ Hill said. “All the coaches, at every school, work hard to promote tennis in Ocean County.

  “Most programs are carrying 17 or 18 players and that means there are junior varsity matches and more opportunities for kids to play.’’

  Toms River North, which needs victories over Jackson Memorial and rival Toms River South to win a Shore Conference divisional title, was sharp in the county championships.

  At first singles, North’s Kendal Kauffman, a junior, scored a three-set victory over Anna Prestera of Barnegat, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3.

  Shannon Young, a freshman, won a 6-2, 6-3, straight sets victory over Alexis Conner of Point Pleasant Beach.

  Toms River North also received a championship effort from its second doubles combination of senior GabbyVitiello and junior Erin Collier, who needed two tough sets to dispatch Carolyn Achurra and Lindsey Park of Toms River South, 7-5, 7-6.

  Courtney Russell of Toms River South won an individual title, 6-0, 7-5 at third singles and South’s Kaitlyn Macrina and Danielle Gabriel won the county title at first doules.

 The Mariners also received second-place finishes from Jordan Vasarkovy at No.3 singles and Sarah Koerner and Brinda Shah at first doubles.

  “The first day of the county tournament was the most important because we were the only team to advance all five flights to the semifinals,’’ Hill said.

  Hill said the team will be busy for the remainder of the season. North is scheduled to participate in the state tournament. The Mariners are the top seed in South Jersey Group IV. North will open state tournament play against Williamstown.

  “I don’t know if we are the best team in South Jersey Group IV, but we have a good record and at least we will get to be home for a couple matches,’’ Hill said.

  The Mariners will take on powerful Haddonfield, which is unbeaten in 16 matches.

  “Haddonfield has 90 girls out for tennis and has five assistant coaches,’’ Hill said.

  Toms River North also has a competitive match Friday against Point Pleasant Beach on the clay courts at the Bay Head Yacht Club.

  “Tennis is a life game,’’ Hill said. “We try to give our kids a positive tennis experience.’’

  Hill said he carries 14 players on his varsity teams – eight of those are seniors.

  “Only one of our seniors is a starter,’’ Hill said. “We go to great lengths to get all our kids chances to play matchs, they just don’t hit balls in practice.

  “If you have a good team you pretty much play everyday,’’ Hill added. “We try to keep the girls focused on the task of the day."