Boys’ Tennis Team Rolls Past McNair 5-0

With their lineup finally intact from top to bottom, the Cranford boys' varsity tennis team was hitting on all cylinders on Tuesday.

Led by Alex Heucke's 6-2, 7-5 victory in the top spot, the Cougars crushed McNair of Jersey City 5-0 to even their season record at 1-1.

"I'm very happy with the team today," said Heucke. "I thought it was a very good win. I came out strong, got a little weaker towards the end and I think it was the opposite with my opponent. I'm still happy that I got the victory today."

"A clean sweep today, I'm very proud with how the team played," said Cranford coach Richard Goldstein. "We played fantastic. It was the first time we've had our whole starting lineup in their exact places as well. We played well as a team today."

Andrew Miller got the job done at second singles with a 6-4, 5-2 triumph, while Christian Wu was a 6-0, 6-0 winner in the third spot.

"The first set was a little shaky," said Miller. "I got off to a rough start and pulled it out 6-3. The second set I was much more aggressive. It was good for the whole team. It definitely is a good confidence booster."

At first doubles, senior Derek DeCagna and freshman Danny Buono combined for an impressive 6-0, 6-0 victory, while Russ Hathaway and Will Allen also tallied with a 6-0, 6-0 score.

"Christian played a fantastic match today," said Goldstein. "He had an answer for everything, knew exactly where to place the ball. Derek and Danny paired up very well in their first time together."

"It was a solid match," said DeCagna. We played a tactically clean and smart one. We took advantage of every little weakness we picked up on and we got through. Right now, I'm just showing Danny a lot of tricks along the way."

"Winning my first varsity match is an amazing feeling," said Buono. "We really played well today."

With just one senior on the team, the Cougars feel the chemistry for success is already formulating.

"I've been around this team for many years now and seeing them come together and root for their team and player towards the end was really amazing to me," said Goldstein. "Getting the first one under the belt is always important to prove that it can be done."

"It's good," said DeCagna. "I'm the only senior, but a lot of us were on the team last year, so we all know each other, we're all a good group of guys, we're all pretty much friends on the team as well, especially this year, trying to get the guys to cheer for each other and pull each other through matches."

Their next test will be against Summit, one of the best teams in Union County. That leaves the Cougars cautiously optimistic.

"I'll be ready for it, because I know what to expect from them," said Heucke. "They're definitely going to be a tough team, one of the best teams in the county. We just need to connect on the shots. Tennis is a game that comes down to a few points, so if we can hang with them and win the important ones, we have a shot."

"Mentally, we just have to go out there, and focus on where to place their shots," said Goldstein. "We need to focus on being a team, focus on being together, have good communication and try to outsmart them on the court."