 (Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) SINGULAR SENSATION: Princeton Day School tennis star David Holland prepares to rip a backhand in action last spring. In 2006, Holland went 17-0, winning the individual title at first singles in the Mercer County Tournament and at the Prep B tourney. Holland and the Panthers get their 2007 season underway on March 29 when they host Rutgers Prep. |
The lineup is a little unsettled for the Princeton Day School boys' tennis team as it gets ready to start regular season play later this week.
But longtime PDS head coach Rome Campbell will tell you that's a good thing. "We have depth in talent from No. 1 to No. 7," said Campbell, who has guided the Panthers to the state prep B team title the last two seasons. "The biggest transition will be to fit some singles players into doubles roles."
There will be no transition required at first singles where junior David Holland is back after going 17-0 last spring and winning the individual title at first singles in the Mercer County Tournament and at the Prep B tourney.
"David is getting bigger, he's six feet tall and he's starting to fill out," said Campbell, noting that Holland is currently ranked No. 1 in the Middle States circuit in the 16-and-under boys' category. "His serve is harder; he has picked up pace in all strokes. He should have a solid year."
Holland's brilliance filters through the whole team on the practice court. "Everybody wants to run with David," said Campbell with a laugh. "It's a great practice situation; he hits with everybody."
Senior Bo Marshall figures to be another big hitter this spring for PDS. "Marshall played all summer; he even had tournaments in Europe," said Campbell, noting that Marshall has excelled at singles and doubles in his PDS career. "He's our captain; we look to him to get into a singles role. He has a very strong serve and a big forehand."
Others in the singles mix for the Panthers include sophomore Dylan Dreher and freshmen Neil Karandikar and Alvin Song.
"Dylan is very athletic, he played a little singles and doubles for us last year," added Campbell. "Tennis is now his only sport; he had played football and basketball. The two freshmen are both prominent in the Middle States; they have played a lot of tennis."
Junior Patrick Murphy and sophomore Vinay Trivedi figure to fill doubles spots for the Panthers. "Patrick anchored our doubles last year and I see him in the same role this year," said Campbell.
With such talent on hand, Campbell has upgraded the program's schedule along with its expectations.
"We have picked up the schedule; we've added Delbarton and Montclair-Kimberley," said Campbell. "We're playing some of the big names in Prep A like Hun, Lawrenceville, and Peddie. We want to make a greater presence as a team in the county tournament."
Campbell is confident that PDS will make its presence felt in a big way this spring. "We're in a position to have a great season," asserted Campbell, whose team hosts Rutgers Prep on March 29 in its season opener.
"We have a great group of young kids. They are young but they are very experienced. We have a nice mix all the way through, we have just one senior."
A mix that should lead to success this spring and in years to come.
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