Girls Tennis Set for Another Championship Run

Millburn's version of the New York Yankees easily is its tennis programs. The Millers have a truckload of championships, a history rich with tradition and great players. Anything less than a championship in Millburn is considered a down year.

The Miller girls enter the fall as winners of the last five county championships, the last four North II Group 3 sectional titles, and as the four-time defending Group 3 champions. Their season ended last fall as one of the final four teams in the state, losing 3-2 to Haddonfield (the eventual state champ) in the Tournament of Champions semifinal.

This year, while the loss of No.2 singles player Sabrina Fedele (who has been a part of more Group 3 team championships than any player in any sport in Millburn history), will be a tough one to overcome, the team may be stronger overall.

"I think we're going to be very competitive this year," said Millburn head coach Elliot Lovi. "Our doubles are going to be even better than they were last year."

Returning to first singles is co-captain Alex Stone, who is an absolutely complete player. Millburn's top swinger reached the round of 16 in the state singles tournament as a sophomore last year and returns with a better net game and improved midcourse play, according to Lovi. She will be facing all of the top tennis players in the state this season.

Co-captain Emily Bary returns to doubles this season after a stint at third singles last year. Bary has lost only two matches in her high school career as she enters her senior year and was a part of a state championship doubles team earlier in her high school career. Lovi has always said that while Bary is a good singles player, she is dominant in doubles.

Other doubles participants include last year's surprise state semifinalists, Jenna Berkencamp and Patricia Chau, along with Lauren Cohen. Sarah Fielder and Rebecca Mandel also will see some playing time at doubles.

Newcomers to the team this season are freshman Maddie Stearns at second singles and sophomore Tatiana Cherne at third singles. Both are experienced tournament players and represent the only inexperience on the team this season.

"There's some concern [about they're inexperience on varsity], but they are experienced players, they're not beginners. They're tournament players," Lovi said of the youngsters.

It has become almost a given the Millers will contend for a county and a group championship every season, and this one will be no different. They enter the fall as the team to beat in the county tournament and the Super Essex Conference American Division, and as a favorite to repeat as sectional champs for a fifth straight season.

Lovi has said Group 3 is very tough and deep this season and it will not be a walk in the park to repeat as group champs once again.

"It's a possibility, but Group 3 is tough. We didn't walk through this any year. We have been very fortunate," Lovi said. "We want to compete at the highest level. The winning will take care of itself."