JAIN TRAIN: Princeton Day School boys’ tennis player Aryn Jain displays his backhand form in recent action. Freshman Jain has starred at first singles for PDS as it has gotten off to a 4-0 start this spring. In upcoming action, PDS hosts WW/P-South on April 16 before starting play in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament on April 20 at the Mercer County Park Tennis Center. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)
By Bill Alden
It didn’t take long for the Princeton Day School boys’ tennis team to serve notice that it has the potential to be formidable this spring.
Facing perennial powerhouse WW/P-North in its opening match on March 31, PDS posted an impressive 4-1 victory.
“North was a great statement of how good this team could be,” said Panther head coach Michael Augsberger, whose team defeated Hopewell Valley 3-2 last Thursday in improving to 4-0. “In the conference, it is always North, WW/P-South and Princeton so to be able to test ourselves against somebody that good and come out successful was brilliant.”
The Panthers have been getting brilliant play this season from freshman Aryn Jain at first singles.
“He has a real smooth head, he is constantly thinking of ways to surmount the challenge that is in his way,” said Augsberger, noting that Jain has extensive experience on the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) circuit. “I like the way he shapes his shots. He doesn’t rely overly on power or finesse. He is not overly big but his net game is outstanding. He has really strong hands in terms of very deft hands.”
Another freshman, Max Wang, is proving to be a strong performer for PDS at second singles.
“Max is feisty, he is energetic,” said Augsberger. “Max is creative but he relies on that energy. That is where his game comes from. He chases down ball but he is not a pusher. He is a hustler but he is not a defensive specialist. He also has very deft hands. I really think what sets him apart is that he just has this fire to him.”
At third singles, sophomore Faizan Mohammad has been showing some game. “Faizan has done well at third singles, he played his first match against Hopewell and he won that,” said Augsberger. “He had to fight though a tough first set and then he was off to the races in the second set.”
The pair of senior Avi Saran and junior Abhishek Srinivasan should be tough to beat at first doubles.
“In the new partnership, Avi is going to have to take the lead in terms of energy and the feistiness of the group,” said Augsberger. “Abhishek is going to have to take the lead in terms of the strategy and bring some of his singles experience from the USTA travel circuit. He has that where Avi might not. He has played a lot of high-level doubles tournaments. Abhishek is a great volleyer even though he has a strong singles game.”
Senior Archie Douglas is back at second doubles and he has teamed up with freshman Chris Zang in that spot.
“Archie is the reigning Prep B second doubles champion, he stands out above that group,” said Augsberger, noting that freshman Brayden Wang, freshman Asrith Tatineni, and senior Arjun Bhardwaj are also in the mix at second doubles.
“He has the experience and the international savvy. He spent a year in Switzerland in his sophomore year. He is pretty much a lock for that because of his accolades. We have a number of guys who are gunning for that spot. Chris has the most natural talent. He has got the most experience in terms of outside tennis. His game is polished in terms of his strokes. He just needs more doubles experience. We believe in him.”
With PDS starting play in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament on April 20 at the Mercer County Park Tennis Center, Augsberger believes that topping North in the opener is a sign that the Panthers can be in the title mix.
“The win over North in such a feisty atmosphere and being pushed to the limit really gives us a lot of energy and belief,” said Augsberger, whose team will also host WW/P-South in a regular season match on April 16. “I think North had a limited lineup that day, that tempers the expectations a little bit. We do have a lot of belief going into the county tournament. We know how strong Princeton, North and South are going to be at their full strength. We also saw how strong the Hopewell doubles were.”
No matter what happens in the CVC event, Augsberger believes his squad has a bright future.
“The things that are most encouraging is the young lineup because that is strong indication of the future and the other thing is the high energy level of this group,” said Augsberger. “It really makes for a great team atmosphere. This is the most vociferous, the most communicative group during the match amongst themselves that I have ever had. They have an edge to them, nobody scares them.”