GETTING IN FORM: Princeton High boys’ tennis player Tacto Yamada displays his forehand form as he warms up for a recent match. Junior Yamada has excelled at second singles this spring, helping PHS produce at 2-1 start. The Tigers have a match at Hightstown High on April 15 and will then start 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

Although the Princeton High boys’ tennis team has reshuffled its lineup this spring due to graduation losses and two players opting to not come out this spring, the cupboard is hardly bare.

“We have a solid returning core, obviously losing one and two was a bit tough for us,” said PHS head coach Sarah Hibbert, referring to singles players, Garrett Mathewson and Andrew Kuo, who decided not to join the team this spring due to other commitments. “We have three returning starters (Emil Kapur, Tacto Yamada, and Aashil Patel) and an additional player who had some experience last year in Shaam [Beri]. Everyone has stepped up into new positions in our lineup. They are all working hard. They have really put a lot of time in the offseason improving their games. We hope for a solid season.”

At first singles, junior Kapur had produced a solid start. “He played doubles at the beginning of the year last season and then when Aashil was injured, he moved up to singles and played singles for the second half,” said Hibbert, whose team topped Robbinsville 5-0 last Thursday to improve to 2-1. “He has worked very hard on his game. He is a very consistent, steady player. He hits the ball very hard but he also gets almost everything back. He forces you to hit another shot and another shot.”

Junior Yamada, who also stars for the PHS boys’ soccer team, has moved up to the second singles spot after playing first doubles last year.

“Tacto is a great all-around athlete,” said Hibbert. “Tennis is his No. 1 sport, he says. For as good as he is in soccer, he is fantastic at tennis as well. He moves incredibly well and he has very good touch. He places the ball very well and can hit incredibly hard.”

Senior Patel is back at third singles. “We are hoping this will be a healthy season for him; he was hampered by injuries last year and didn’t get to play as much as any of us would have wanted him to,” said Hibbert. “He has the lefty game that can throw people. He moves well and he hits the ball very hard. He is clever in how he sets up points.”

A pair of juniors, Nolan Maurer and Ryan Litvinsky, have been playing well at first doubles.

“When I was working through the round-robin and some of the things I do in the preseason, the two of them played well in the mini-matches we had,” said Hibbert. “Their styles complement each other. Nolan is very steady from the baseline, he has good volleys as well. He can just really set up points well. Ryan’s volleys and serve have been looking strong so far this season.”

At second doubles, junior Beri and senior Santiago Montoreano bring some valuable experience to that spot.

“Shaan and Santiago played a lot together last year; they were our first alternate pair and then Shaan got pulled up when Aashil was injured,” said Hibbert. “They know each other’s game very well. They have been together for three years. They opened the season with a win over Hopewell. They played a great match and it is just keeping that level of play up.”

With the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament starting on April 20 at the Mercer County Park Tennis Center, Hibbert believes her revamped squad will be competitive.

“I believe that PDS has gotten some new talent, we know WW/P-South is good and WW/P-North is strong this year, they haven’t had their full lineup yet,” said Hibbert. “I think it will be a close race. A lot will depend on the draws and then who comes out and plays their best tennis when it counts.”