Hightstown returns talented and experienced tennis team

With the majority of its lineup back from a 14-4 2010, the Hightstown High School boys tennis team is expecting another excellent season.

"It's great having so many guys back because you know what to expect," Hightstown Coach Bob Howland said.

Hightstown returns all three of its singles players, including the Palayekar brothers.

Vinit Palayekar, a senior, is Hightstown's number one player. Last year he advanced into the semifinals of the Mercer County Tournament. And with Princeton, the two West Windsors and most teams having at least one very talented player, Mercer is an incredibly competitive county for tennis.

"We expect strong things from him again," Howland said.

Rohit Palayekar, a sophomore, returns to play second singles.

"He's a good, strong player," Howland said. "He won the key match against Princeton last year that resulted in us winning the Valley championship. That was the first time in 19 years that Princeton didn't win."

Eric Trast, a senior, is also back to hold down the third singles spot again.

"Those are three very strong singles players," Howland said.

Hightstown's main graduation loss was the doubles team of Ethan Freedman and Travis Virgil, which placed third in the MCT and was an honorable mention on the All-Mercer team.

Hightstown does have several returning doubles players.

"The doubles combinations just have to get to know each other and play better and better," Howland said.

Dhruv Sachdeva (junior) and Soham Rege (junior) are the first doubles team. Both guys played doubles last year and also filled in from time to time in the singles linep.

Zach Shuler (senior) and Ajana Crosley (sophomore) make up the second doubles team. Shuler played a lot of doubles last year. Crosley is, basically, the only new player on the varsity.

Hightstown managed to get two matches in during a very cold and wet first week.

"It is what it is," Howland noted of the weather. "The same thing happened last year and a lot of matches got piled up later in the season."

Hightstown defeated Steinert, 5-0, on Apr. 4.

Both of Hightstown's doubles teams won 6-0, 6-0. Rohit Palayekar also won 6-0, 6-0. Vinit Palayekar won, 6-0, 6-1. Trast won, 6-1, 6-1.

Hightstown was edged by Robbinsville, 3-2, on Apr. 6

This was an interesting match-up of talented brothers. Robbinsville's Ramy and Sammar Bekhiet both managed wins over the Palayekars. Hightstown was also defeated at second doubles.

Trast and the first doubles team of Sachdeva and Rege won for Hightstown.

Hightstown is scheduled to play at Ewing on Monday and Nottingham on Friday. The team will host West Windsor South on Tuesday and Lawrence on Wednesday.  Thursday is the lone open date in a busy week.

"We have four matches during the week, so that will be a big test," Howland said.