Tennis Looks to Top Last Season's 23-1 Success

Matt Varhley's first season as head coach of the Westfield High girls tennis team was certainly a memorable one.

The Blue Devils finished the season at 23-1, losing to Haddonfield in the Tournament of Champions final. Westfield won its fifth straight Union County Tournament and added North 2 Group IV and state Group IV titles.

The team, which opened the season Sept. 7 at home against Scotch Plains-Fanwood, looks like it could repeat all of those achievements.

Everybody returns from last year's team with the exception of captain Tara Crisculo, who's now playing at The College of New Jersey. Lexi Borr, Criscuolo and Debbie Wu swept singles at the county tournament.

"It's hard to look too far ahead,'' Varhley said. "We're focused on team chemistry, figuring out who we are as a team, re-learning the process to succeed as a team.''

The team will be led by talented first singles player Lexi Borr, who went 32-2 last year, winning the county title.

"Lexi goes out there and puts forth a first ratr effort and gives us a chance to succeed,'' said Varhley, adding that Borr played in tournaments in San Diego, Virginia and Louisiana during the summer.  

Borr's only losses last season were to Kelly Williford of Ridge during a team match and to Tina Jiang of Gill St. Bernard's in the state singles tournament semifinal.

Varhley made his lineup official after a 4-1 scrimmage win over Livingston.

Senior Samantha Borr, who was the team's top singles player two years ago, moves up to second singles from first doubles. She teamed up with senior Morgan Murphy last year to win the county first doubles title. Debbie Wu returns to third singles.

Murphy and her sister Sarah, a junior, will be the team's first doubles team. Senior co-captains Katherine McKinley and Melissa Morawski will be the second doubles team. Those two were runners-up in the county tournament.

"Not having Tara back will hurt,'' Varhley said. "She was a great captain and team leader. But having Sam Borr to replace her at second singles puts us in a great situation for the season. She's a former No. 1 player at singles with a great experience.''