Ocean City Tennis Has the Depth to Contend in CAL

Gabby DuBruille wanted to be a singles player this season, however, the Ocean City High School junior never knew she would make the jump from doubles to first singles in just one year.

“I’m really excited,” she said. “My goal this year was to play singles, first, second or third, but when I found out I was playing first singles I was really happy.”

DuBruille, who worked on her game throughout the past year, earned her spot on the tennis ladder after winning challenge matches over the past few weeks at the Red Raiders’ practices.

“I played a lot this winter,” she said. “I played at Greate Bay Tennis and Racquet Club with (tennis instructor) Brian Godfrey. I played a lot with him, and I played my dad on the weekends. I worked a lot on my serve and ground strokes.”

“Her consistency will keep her up there,” Ocean City third-year coach Samantha Newgas said.

The junior knows that this season will be much different than 2010, now that she has to fend for herself against the top players in South Jersey.

She is looking forward to the challenge and preparing herself for what will be a new experience.

“It’s a lot different. It’s only me,” DuBruille said. “With doubles, if you are having an off day, a partner can help out, since we are playing together. Now I need to keep a positive attitude and really concentrate. I also have to be more aware of my shots, because it’s a smaller court, and I have to work the other player around, and have them really move around.”

DuBruille’s ascension to the team’s top spot didn’t come easy. Returning singles players Aida Prehlo and Carling Mott helped lead the Red Raiders to 10 straight wins last year after starting the season at 1-3.

“The challenge matches have been nail-biting,” Newgas said. “They have been really tight across the board.”

Having DuBruille at first singles gives the Red Raiders a talented and deep singles group that should challenge many of the top teams in the Cape-Atlantic League.

“I would say it gives is depth,” said Newgas. “We are still having challenge matches but our one and two are now two and three so as long as we play our ‘A’ game, I would say two and three should have strong records throughout the season.”

The Red Raiders’ depth doesn’t stop at singles. Ocean City has 37 players in the program with the top seven making the varsity lineup.

At first doubles, Leah Kornberg and Lauren Loggi will team up. The duo played second doubles last year. Heather Mazzeo, Eva Nusbaum, and Emily Gillian are in line to play second doubles this year.

With so many players back, and the team’s late-season surge last year, the Red Raiders are confident they can be a contender in 2011. However, the CAL always seems to be loaded with top teams, including rival Mainland and Millville.

“I think we should be very strong,” Newgas said. “We have the potential to win the CAL if we play well and win matches we are supposed to win.”