As they prepare for the challenges of playing at Princeton Wednesday and in the Mercer County Tournament next week, the Hightstown High girls tennis team is 3-0 and improving with every match.
Hightstown's latest win was 3-2 over Steinert at home on Sept. 13.
Previously, Hightstown defeated Robbinsville 4-1 on Sept. 8. Hightstown also had a 5-0 win against Hamilton on Sept. 12.
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"This match [against Steinert] was a real nail-biter," Hightstown Coach Charles Rorer said. "We knew it would be a tough one. We both came in with a 2-0 record and we both defeated Robbinsville 4-1."
Hightstown won all three singles matches to take the team victory. All three of Hightstown's singles players are 3-0 to start the season.
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The decisive match proved to be the one at third singles. Anagha Babu lost the first set 6-1. She then came back and won the next two sets, 6-4 and 6-2, to beat Dana Braddock.
"It's tough to come back after losing the first set 6-1," Rorer said. "I'm proud of the way she overcame that first set. You have to get your confidence back. You have to continue to go for winners. She did that."
Ankita Naraparaju defeated Samantha Plant, 7-5, 6-1, at second singles to put Babu in position to clinch the team win.
Hightstown's and Steinert's second doubles teams were tied at a set each when the team win was decided. With the sun going down, the girls played a tiebreaker to determine the third set, which was won by Steinert's Rachel Peters and Kristen Malpas seven points to two over Hightstown's Ericka Asis and Sammy Kaiser. The Hightstown duo forced the tiebreaker by winning the second set 7-5 after a 7-6 (7-5) loss in the first set.
Steinert's Murka Jean Charles and Taylor Wright won, 6-1, 7-5, over Hightstown's Tulsi and Krishna Desai at second doubles.
The quickest match of the day came at first singles as Hightstown's Sneha Rangu defeated Gaby Bennett, 6-0, 6-0.
Rangu has only lost one game thus far this season. Nevertheless, the Hightstown freshman didn't seem all that impressed by her start.
"We've only played three matches," Rangu said.
"I've worked hard on my game. I'm not even sure how long I've been playing. I started when I was very little."
According to Hightstown's coach, Rangu is nationally ranked.
"She has the confidence to pound the ball," Rorer said. "Even when she makes a bad shot, she doesn't let it bother her. She stays aggressive. She plays year round and is a very solid player."
Even as a freshman, she could be a factor in the upcoming Mercer County Tournament, which will be held next Monday and Wednesday at Mercer County Community College.
"It'll be interesting to see how she does in the MCT next week," Rorer said. "She'll be up against a lot of the prep girls, so those should be really good matches."
