Veteran Players at the Top of West Orange Tennis Team

The West Orange High School boys tennis team is looking to improve from match to match. The goals are pretty simple — get better with each match.

The Mountaineers fell to 1-6-1 Monday, losing 5-0 to Caldwell. West Orange's victory came against Belleville last Thursday by a 3-2 score in the consolation round of the Essex County Tournament.

The Mountaineers are faced once again with a brutal schedule with the likes of powerful Livingston, the Essex County Tournament champion. The Lancers beat Millburn 4-1 for the title recently.

In a recent state poll, Livingston was ranked first with Newark Academy third and Millburn sixth.

West Orange didn't have a great number of players come out, but head coach Jay Gitter is working to get his team to gel. Gitter said the Mountaineers will look to be competitive in their division and make a run at the division's top clubs Nutley, Verona and Caldwell. 

"We should be competitive in every match," said Gitter.

The top player has been junior Greg Ehrlich, who had a 6-2, 6-2 victory at first singles over Belleville's Brian Ramirez last week. 

"Greg is in great shape, he battles to the end," said Gitter, whose team plays host to Verona Wednesday afternoon, then plays at Belleville Monday. "He has to battle because there are so many great players in the county."

Senior David Handsman, a three-year varsity starter, is also the school's valedictorian. Handsman and senior Will Talbot, another three-year veteran, have been playing at second singles. 

"I have a veteran team," said Gitter.

Senior Frednor Cayamitte, a native of Haiti, is new to the sport, but has shown great promise. 

"Frednor is in amazing sport; he's like a greyhound," said Gitter. "He's the fastest guy I've ever coached. Unfortunately, he's new to the game. He's just really learning how to play. He really has a great attitude."

His twin brother, Chris, has been playing first doubles along with senior Brian Byon, a two-year varsity player. Sophomore brothers Renee and Gabirel Chalom have been playing at second doubles.

"They are going to be really tough come mid-season," said Gitter. "Their desire and ability to play together … those two really hit the ball hard."

Gitter said the junior varsity team has some talented players, who have a chance to get some varsity experience. Among them are sophomore Felix Li, who has been the junior varsity's top singles player. Sam Klein is another youngster who has shown promise.