In the midst of one of their best seasons ever, the Cranford boys' varsity tennis team won another close match, defeating visiting Passaic Valley by a final score of 3-2, and qualifying for the state tournament in the process.
Freshman Christian Woo continued his stellar season at third singles, winning 6-0 6-1 to pace the Cougars. The first doubles team of Derek DeCagna and Danny Buono rolled to a straight set 6-0, 6-0 triumph.
"We're really playing well right now," said Buono. "The team has really come together. We picked a good time to get on a roll."
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Russell Hathaway and Will Allen in second doubles cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 victory, enough to put the Cougars over the top.
"We took care of business," said head coach Richard Goldstein. "We are 6-3 on the season and the team is shaping up, determined to win, becoming more and more confident with every match."
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Goldstein also had praise for his first and second singles players, who match in and match out, face the toughest competition their opponents have to offer.
"Alex Heucke was very good, though he lost, and the same with Andrew Miller," said Goldstein. "They improved their game, and they are getting better as players and are keeping their heads up high. I'm very proud of their efforts."
Qualifying for states was a season-long goal, and with the seeding meeting set for next week, the Cougars have a lot to be excited about. Cranford will look for their seventh win of the season when they host Linden today at 4 p.m.
Cranford currently ranks 8th in the Star-Ledger Union County rankings and will most likely move up if they can close out the week unbeaten.
