BE GOOD: Princeton High girls’ tennis player Phoebe Decker gets ready to hit a backhand in recent action. Junior Decker has starred at first singles to help PHS produce a 7-1 start. The Tigers are starting play in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey 2 Group 3 girls’ tennis tournament where they are seeded fourth and were slated to host 13th-seeded Matawan in a first round contest on September 30. In addition, the Tigers will be hosting Lawrence on October 3 in a regular season matchup. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)
By Bill Alden
As a freshmen in 2023, Phoebe Decker started her career with the Princeton High girls’ tennis team by playing in the first singles spot.
Last year, Decker moved to the second singles as Kathleen Xu took over the No. 1 spot.
This fall, Decker is back at first singles and is enjoying her return to the top spot in the PHS lineup.
“Being first singles is really nice,” said Decker. “You get all of the toughest players on each team. I feel like a varsity leader in a way.”
Last Wednesday against Notre Dame, Decker posted a 6-0, 6-1 win to help lead PHS to a 5-0 win over the Irish.
“I think my topspin and my forehand were working really well,” said Decker. “I was trying to find some of her weaknesses and how I could elevate my game and take advantage of that. At one point, she served and I went into the net and volleyed it immediately. That was an easy way to put away the point.”
Decker worked hard over the offseason to improve her game physically and emotionally.
“I worked on my serve but my mental side too,” said Decker. “It is just moving on to the next point and not thinking about past points. I definitely talk to my coach a lot about technique. I talk to my parents a lot about strategy and mental toughness.”
Playing at first singles means that Decker is going to face challenging matches every time out.
“Definitely the players are the hardest thing,” said Decker. “In practice we have to prepare for the next match. It is thinking about strategy and what I am going to incorporate into my game and what I am going to use, what I am going to practice whether it is my serve or my approach shots.”
PHS head coach Sarah Hibbert was pleased with how her squad handled the match against Notre Dame as it started in a drizzle.
“Overall everyone played really well,” said Hibbert. “Notre Dame is stronger this year. They were 5-2 on the record. They definitely had some stronger matches than the score represented today. The matches were closer in places. The rain held off, the courts dried and we were able to finish and play. We are glad that we got the match in. It is always nice to have good competition.”
Hibbert credits Decker with providing some strong play at first singles this season.
“Phoebe is playing first again this year,” said Hibbert. “She played an amazing match against PDS the other day, really crushing her ground strokes, placing the ball very well, and finishing off points really well. I think that is a place where she enjoys playing, I think she is happy to be back there. It is always a mixed bag because. If a team has only one good player, you always get them. There aren’t usually too many relaxing days but at the same time, that is how you get better. It is knowing that you have to bring that and you have to raise your game to your opponent’s level. It makes you a sharper player.”
At second singles, freshman Aariyana Patel is bringing a lot of game.
“She hits the ball very hard,” said Hibbert. “She can place it very well.”
Another freshman, Amelia Huang, has performed well at third singles.
“Amelia had an amazing win for us over North, she played really well that day,” said Hibbert, whose team improved to 7-1 with a 4-1 win over Robbinsville last Friday and is starting play in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey 2 Group 3 girls’ tennis tournament where it is seeded fourth and was slated to host 13th-seeded Matawan in a first round contest on September 30. “She is very steady, she has a lot of weapons on the groundstrokes. She can place the ball well. She is good at movement, she can get a lot of shots back.”
With the two freshmen being relatively equal, that should provide PHS with a solid foundation going forward.
“They are close,” said Hibbert. “Their challenge match took three and a half hours, it came down a third set tiebreak.”
The first doubles pair of senior Ashna Bushan and junior Sophia Bruhn is rounding into form.
“Ashna is back and Sophia moved from second to first; they each lost a partner last year to graduation so we combined them,” said Hibbert. “They have great volleys, good serves and they both have played doubles so they know what the game is about. It is just finding that chemistry with a new partner and getting settled into a new season. I think they have a potential to be a very strong team.”
At second doubles, junior Ksenia Petukh and sophomore Luna Xu have developed a good chemistry.
“Second doubles has stepped up very nicely, they have come together,” said Hibbert. “They did not really play together at all last season on JV but they were both right at the top of JV. They both worked really hard on their games. They have had a great start to the season so far.”
Looking ahead to the state tourney, Hibbert believes her squad has the depth to make a nice run.
“We are solid from top to bottom that on any given day that person can step up,” said Hibbert. “What I have said to them is that every match is worth one point, whether you are first singles or second doubles and any day can be your day. In the past, we have counted on doubles to be the depth for us and we need one singles player to step up for us and they have usually done it. This year we do add strength in the singles with the two freshmen.”
Hibbert acknowledged that the Tigers are facing some tough competition in the sectional.
“Going forward it is hard to say because we are in, as we called it last year, the bracket of death,” said Hibbert, noting that such traditional powers as Chatham, Millburn, WW/P-North, Scotch Plains-Fanwood, Summit, and Ridge are all in the tournament. “Since they moved us and North out, Central Jersey is not as strong as it has been. We keep working hard, we hope for the best.”
Decker, for her part, is primed to help PHS make a strong effort.
“I want to stay more consistent and be more positive during matches and not get down and keep moving on to the next point,” said Decker. “I think we are going to have a really good season this year.”