2004 Scotch Plains Boys Tennis Review

The average New Jersey high school tennis coach would be lucky to win a couple
of games against his first singles player,. but first year Scotch Plains
Fanwood High School tennis coach Mark Cunnington is anything but average. In
fact, Cunnington, a former collegiate star and nationally ranked player is
hoping his top player, junior Jason Krueger can improve enough to defeat him
next year. Krueger, along with third singles county runner-up Adam Corbin
(11-1 overall) helped the Raiders to a 12-6 record and fourth place finish in
the Union County Tournament.

In an end of the year match to help prepare him for the state individual
tournament, Krueger won the first set against Cunnington before losing the next
two. Krueger would go on to lose his state match to highly regarded Sean Hanley
of Point Pleasant Beach 6-4, 6-0. Hanley lost in the third round of the
tournament, which was won by Vivek Subramanian of East Brunswick

”Jason actually played his finest match against a very good player. It was 4-3
1st set and Jason broke his serve to go 4-4. The games went to a lot of deuces
and basically the kid had more answers and game than Jason did. The talent of
these kids is simply amazing ,” said Krueger’s father Mitch.

“I think that Jason has made a lot of progress this year ,” added Cunnington
who
thought a winning match against J.P.. Stevens was the turning point of
Krueger’s season. Krueger came back from a 5-2 deficit in the first set, to
win 7-5,6-1.

“I just told him to settle down and play his game and that I was going to
leave him to fight this match out, I needed him to know that he could do it on
his own and 45 minutes later he came off the court a winner ,” said Cunnington.

“ I think that Jason just needs to understand his game, he played a great first
set this year in the state tournament and he will build from that I expect
Jason to challenge at the county tournament next year and win a few rounds at
state.,” added Cunnington.

Although hired only two weeks before practice started., Cunnington credited the
seniors Mike Thompson and Corbin along with Krueger for smoothing the
transition.

“ I don't think the short notice of my appointment hurt the team, the
weather was more hurtful, we didn't get to practice as much as I hoped
because of the rain, and then we had matches almost everyday for the rest of
the season ,” said Cunnington. After a slow start, the Raiders ran off eight
consecutive wins.

“It was quite an easy transition with the players, I think that I
could relate well to them because of my age, and I was very impressed with
how quickly they adapted to my teaching and coaching style.

“ I think the outlook is good for next year. It will be hard to replace Mike
Thompson, who had a winning record and was a great leader, and
Adam Corbin who had a great season., “ said Cunnington.
“You can't replace experience like that over night but we have everyone else
back and some freshmen coming up that should make an immediate impact like
Ryan Krueger our number ones brother.”

Cunnington said he would like to set up some summer hitting sessions and
possibly do
a mini camp over the summer for some of the younger players.

“I have a pretty unique team in the fact that quite a few of my players play
soccer
and other sports so I'm not concerned about them staying in shape over the
summer.,” said Cunnington.

One of those soccer players, Billy Albizati teamed with Jeremy Sanders to
finish 12-5 at first doubles and was third in the county . Another soccer
player, Steve Leischner held down second doubles.

Although very upbeat, one thing Cunnington wished would improve is the practice
facilities at LaGrande Park.
”The courts we play at are not good at all, they are cracked and have weeds
growing on them, I hope that we can do something about this because it would
be nice to play on nicer facilities ,” said Cunnington. He would also like to
have more than five courts to practice on

“I would like to coach for a while here at Scotch Plains, however I'm 27
and my business can go anywhere, I'm hopeful that I will be asked back for
next season because I have a nice core of players coming back and some good
freshman coming up, and I will be interested to see how the team handles
losing their two key senior leaders ,” said Cunnington.