2005 Boys Union County Tennis Preview

Having equaled the all time school record for total coaching wins with 739 last Friday, Westfield Tennis coach George Kapner is looking for a victory this weekend at the Union County Tournament that will not enhance his individual total but would be the most significant triumph of the year.

Until the early 1990s, Westfield dominated the Union County Boys Tennis Tournament, but Summit has won the past four years and Kapner hopes this is the season that the Blue Devils reclaim what used to be theirs.

"It has historically been a Westfield tournament," said Kapner. "The last few years it's been Summit's tournament. We want to bring the crown back to Westfield."

Dethroning the Hilltoppers will not be easy, especially with a young squad featuring freshmen at two of three single slots but Kapner believes his newcomers, Kevin Shallcross at second singles, and third singles player Ravi Netravali can combine with strong veteran doubles teams to win what should be a close team battle with New Providence(NP), Governor Livingston (GL) and Scotch Plains-Fanwood(SPF) also in the hunt.

“Kevin Shallcross and Ravi Netravali have both played exceedingly well at 2nd and 3rd singles. If they can continue to win as their experience and maturity grow, we only need to
find one more point, probably at doubles, and there is no telling how far we can go in the county and state tournaments ,” said Kapner.

Shallcross was impressive in outlasting another talented freshman, Ryan Krueger of SPF in three sets as the Blue Devils rolled to a 4-1 victory over the Raiders earlier this year. The only win for SPF was by Ryan’s older brother, senior Jason Krueger, who figures to be a top contender at first singles.
Krueger, New Providence’s Kevin Chen, the second singles champion last season and Adam Geiger of Governor Livingston head up a wide open field at first singles.

“ It should be an interesting competition. The only one of the top players I have faced was Alec Wasserman (of Westfield)” said Krueger.

“I think I have a good chance to win, as long as I play my best game.”

The Raiders also have a contender at first doubles with Billy Albizati and Jeremy Sanders, who made the semi finals last year.

The Blue Devils are strong at both doubles with Brian Kender and junior Lee Bernstein at first doubles and Andrew Levy and sophomore Jack Trimble at second doubles.

When the Blue Devils improved to 10-4 by defeating Bayonne 4-1 Friday it finally brought the veteran coach level with the legendary Gary Kehler, who gained fame for coaching football and wrestling teams during the 1960s and '70s and was also a golf coach before becoming athletic director.

Kapner has had most of his success in his 25 years at the school coaching soccer. He was the first girls coach, winning over 80 percent of his games in eleven years and has mentored the boys the past thirteen.

Kapner is pleased with the season thus far.
“Our losses have been to the top programs in the state,” said Kapner
“ Of course, our goal is to re-join those programs and be counted among the elite high school tennis teams in the state. The
only way to do that is to beat those quality programs.”