Sports
Raiders Set to Serve Up Another Standout Season
Returning girls to form one of the 'most talented' tennis squads at Ramapo
The Ramapo High School girls tennis team is back in full swing and set to defend its state title.
It will be a tough task for the Lady Raiders to replicate the success of 2009, which included a 19-2 record, their 20th consecutive league title and third straight state sectional crown, but the girls seem more than ready to do so.
The team is returning all three of their top players from last year, including state singles champion Amanda Muliawan. Just a junior, Muliawan became the first singles champ for Ramapo since 1977 last year, has only one loss on her varsity record and is ranked 10th nationally in her age group.
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"Amanda's skills are as good as most professionals," said head coach Kim Marchese. "But her work ethic and love for the game is what really sets her apart in my mind; it's like nothing I've ever seen before."
With Muliawan being the team's undisputed ace it still remains to be seen who will be joining her in singles play. The candidates vying for the second and third positions include Ashley Garbaccio, a senior who is also the team's captain, and Katie Nerlino, a junior who played second singles for Ramapo last season. The dark horse in the race figures to be freshman newcomer Lisa Jouravleva.
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"Lisa is another girl who has an extensive tennis background with a lot of experience playing in tournaments. She is very talented and will give our team a lot of flexibility in terms of how we match up players, whether it is in the singles or doubles department," Marchese said.
Whoever ends up being the odd girl out in singles play will undoubtedly assume the number one doubles unit along with Julia Friedberg who as a junior was named second-team all Bergen.
Also expected to play an important role in doubles is junior Alison Nolte who was named third-team All-Bergen last season.
"This is clearly one of the deepest, most talented teams we've had here at Ramapo," Marchese said. "For us to be successful is really just a matter of staying healthy because the pieces are all in place."
