New Providence Tennis Team Advances in State Tournament

The New Providence boys' varsity tennis team is advancing in the State Tournament after a victory over rival Jonathan Dayton on Thursday afternoon, 4-1.

In the third singles match, freshman made quick work of Zach Corey, 6-0, 6-0, while Tony Therattil and Mike Herrigel won 6-1, 6-3 over Aaron Lapena and Dimitry Suvorov in a doubles match.

The Pioneers also got a win in their second doubles match, as Adam Sann and Seth Keller took down Jake Kozlenko and Zach Kadish, 6-0, 6-1. The two other matches, Javier Sanchez against Matt Neubauer and Bobby Libera against Ross Konesky, ended in draws.

The Pioneers were dominant on all fronts, as they took care of business quick and without many flaws. The battle at the Mountainside Indoor Courts was for a chance to move on in the State Tournament. New Providence will now take on the winner of the Secaucus and Whippany Park match.

“I think it’s a tribute to the kids and the hard work they have put into this season," said Pioneers' coach John Delloiacono on the victory against the Bulldogs. “Especially at the lower three positions, which have been our strengths all year."

One of those strengths was Hocken, the third singles player, who has made the most of his first ever appearance in the State Tournament. In his match versus Corey, he looked like a polished senior and kept his composure throughout.

“He’s a little stronger and a lot more confident in his ability to win points by making plays,” Delloiacono said.

“I was nervous at first," said Hocken, who hopes to not let his guard down in the next state tournament match next week. “It was my first State Tournament, but it was easier as I went along."

While the Pioneers move on, the Bulldogs end their season, but not without some strong points.

The Dawgs played a difficult schedule of top teams in the state, and built on the success of the past to advance to a more prosperous future. The team is losing top singles player Neubauer, but most of the squad this year will be back, but with a year of varsity tennis under their belts. Dayton's coach is happy with the way this year played out for the team.

“Overall, it was a good year,” said Dayton coach Scott Keele. “It was like the perfect storm of things to go against us this year; we didn’t have home courts, the rain, we had a bunch of new faces, but the kids never complained… we fell a little short in the end, but just to see them come together and play well and make the states. But overall, I’m proud of having this team.”