West Essex Looks to String Together Winning Season

The transition to the Super Essex Conference was a difficult, but learning experience for the the West Essex High School girls tennis team last year.

The Knights finished 10-11-1 overall and struggled in the conference's American Division against teams like Millburn, the five-time defending Essex County Tournament and four-time Group 3 champs, along with dangerous opponents like Livingston, Montclair Kimberley Academy and Newark Academy.

But West Essex coach Barb Bruchac has five starters returning from last year's team that found success outside of the conference by reaching the North Jersey Section 2, Group 2 final before losing to Chatham.

"We had a very tough Essex County schedule and being in the top tier of the Super Essex, we're the only Group 2 school," Bruchac said. "Millburn and Livingston are constantly among the top teams in the state."   

It's a stark contrast from the Knights' previous competition in the old Iron Hills Conference.

"It's very tough to encourage the kids," Bruchac said. "In the old Iron Hills Conference, we were always in the top two or three and always in the upper end of the league.

"We had fairly good seasons. But when they moved us into this league, it was tough. It's not fair for us being a Group 2 school and it was tough to keep our heads up."

The Knights, who open the season against Morristown Saturday at home, return top singles player Carly Agrifolio, a senior, junior Niki Entin at second singles and Lacy Tell at third singles. Entin and Tell have moved into the singles lineup after playing second doubles last year.  

"Carly has played first singles for three years and she's a strong singles, but we have played people who have been ranked nationally," Bruchac said. "In an ordinary world, she'd do very, very well, but she has very, very tough competition. It's relentless."

Senior Lynnli Wang and junior Blair Shulman are the other two returnees and will be at first doubles. Sophomores Stephanie Roser and Amanda Alhoul will likely be the team's second doubles tandem.

Argifolio, Tell and Brit Bermann will be the team's tri-captains. Bermann, along with sophomores Cassandra Torter, Remy Astorino, Emma Osman and Grace Barretti, will also be vying for a spot in the starting lineup.  

"We'll be young as far as experience, but I think we'll probably be stronger at doubles," Bruchac said, "but it'll be hard to predict until we get into our season."