Tennis Team Recalls Record-Breaking Season

With only three returning players from the 2008 squad, the fall season goal for the Cranford girl's varsity tennis team was to improve on their 12-10 record from last year. They did just that, as the Lady Cougars served up a record-breaking 17 wins, eclipsing the school record of 16 which was established in 1983 and matched again in 1994 and 1995.

So it’s with good reason coach Gene Melleno’s young squad is setting the bar even higher for next year, with thoughts of challenging for a championship.

“I am very happy for the girls,” said Coach Melleno. "To accomplish the most wins in school history is quite an achievement. It is a true testament to their hard work and dedication this past season.”

While the team accomplishments play into long term goals, this years’ individual accomplishments were impressive, with each player finishing the season with a winning record, ranging from 12 to 19 wins apiece.

Cranford was led by first doubles team Kristy Daubert and Rachel Halek, who qualified for the State Doubles Tournament, winning 70 percent of their matches by the cutoff date. Daubert, a third-year varsity player, finished at 16-5 at first doubles while Halek, a sophomore making her varsity debut, finished 18-8, the pair placing a respectable seventh in the counties. Daubert was 2-2 at first singles as well, finishing at 18-7 overall.

“Our first doubles team had an outstanding season,” continued Melleno. “As a sophomore, Rachel Halek stepped up and did an outstanding job, and it also helped having a three year veteran as her partner, Kristy Daubert our junior co-captain, leading the way in tough matches."

Third singles player Marianna Dzunova had quite a debut in her freshman season, finishing 19-5 overall, with 18 of those wins coming at third singles. The first year varsity player was 1-1 at second singles, while placing sixth in the county tournament. Her performance this year earned her a spot on the Union County Mountain Conference second team.

“Marianna Dzunova has the ability to be one of the top players in Union County by the time she is a senior," Melleno said. "As a freshman, she had an outstanding season, a very strong player with a very powerful serve. You will be hearing a lot about Marianna in the future."

At first singles, was third-year varsity player and co-captain Maggie Brown, who completed her season with a 13-10 mark, after facing the best the county had to offer match in and match out.

“Being the No. 1 player on your team is a tough position for anyone,” said Melleno. “Maggie represented her team very well, she has been a very consistent player throughout her three years on the varsity team. Maggie is a junior and a leader by example.”

Junior Elizabeth Berry, in her second varsity season, recorded a mark of 12-9 in the second singles position, while the second doubles tandem of junior Lori Joseph and senior Taylor Rattray garnered 19 victories together, finishing sixth in the counties.

“Berry was my second singles player and she went on to have a successful season by posting 12 wins. Elizabeth is a total team player. She cared more about her teams’ accomplishments than her own."

“My second doubles team of Rattray and Joseph had an excellent season. As first time varsity players they both stepped up to the challenge,” said Melleno. “I think back on one of their matches early on in the season that really gave them the confidence they needed to go on and post a 19-win season. We had a match tied at 2-2 against Somerville and they knew all the pressure was on them and they posted a three-set win to lead their team to victory”.

Junior Colleen Jones stepped in admirably as first alternate, going 4-1 at second doubles, 5-3 overall. She will be another important cog in the wheel of a young team ready to take the next step in challenging for a title in 2010.

“Colleen Jones was a life saver as our first alternate player that filled in on some very close matches, and did an outstanding job."

With six returning players set to take the court next year, you can already hear them saying, “Tennis anyone?”