Game, Set, Title: Ramapo Wins Sectional Crown Over Tenafly

The Ramapo tennis team got its revenge on Tenafly Monday, narrowly edging the Tigers to take home their third straight North I Group III state sectional title.

Tenafly had been crowned Bergen County champions earlier this month after edging Ramapo by one point, 14-13, when all three Lady Raiders suffered losses at singles. Monday, the Lady Raiders made sure Tenafly wouldn't take home another title, winning 3-2.

The difference was the play of first singles Amanda Muliawan, who played what coach Kim Marchese called "the match of her life." Muliawan got the best of Akiko Okuda 6-1, 6-2 to avenge a 6-0, 6-1 loss Okuda handed her at the counties.

"It's a great win," said Marchese. "To lose the way she did the first time and then come back to win, it's just a great win, and she knows it's for the team."

Muliawan gave Okuda fits, locating the ball with great precision and forcing her opponent to make mistakes. Marchese acknowledged her play as well as Muliawan's focus as a factor that helped elevate her game in the rematch. 

"(Amanda) kept so many more balls in the court, a little more focus, and her opponent also gave her a few more points too which she did not do the last time; it's just a combination of all three things," said Marchese.

It took three victories to win the match, and the play of both doubles teams helped Ramapo achieve the margin of victory. Ashley Garbaccio and Julia Friedberg won the first doubles match while Kristen Pizzolo and Alison Nolte got the win at second doubles. The two teams were both winners in straight sets despite a tough two-back formation played by the Tigers.

Marchese has talked about the strength of his doubles teams throughout the season. In this match he stressed their experience as a big factor: "This is a real veteran team," he said, specifically citing Garbaccio and Friedberg's three years of experience at the varsity level. "It makes a difference. I think their experience and ability to play many different styles of doubles made the difference."  

Garbaccio and Friedberg found themselves playing in the final match after Muliawan and second doubles won and Lisa Jouravleva and Katies Nerlino lost their singles matches, leaving the contest knotted up at two. With the state title on the line, the seniors were able to defeat the team of Ada Lin and Nicole Byron in straight sets to seal the sectional title.

Now Ramapo will set its sights on the big prize, the overall Group 3 state title.  The Lady Raiders have been eliminated by Milburn in each of the last two years, but hope to display some revenge on the Millers, as well. 

1^st Singles:

Amanda Muliawan (R) defeats Akiko Okuda (T) 6-1, 6-2

2^nd Singles:

Rima Asatrian (T) defeats Lisa Jouravleva (R), 6-1, 6-0

3^rd Singles:

Courtney Lee (T) defeats Katie Nerlino (R) 6-0, 6-1

1^st Doubles:

Ashley Garbaccio & Julia Friedberg (R) defeat Ada Lin & Nicole Byron (T) 6-2, 6-4

2^nd Doubles:

Kristen Pizzolo & Alison Nolte (R) defeat Hannah Miller & Tessa Rubach (T) 6-1, 6-0