By Rich Chrampanis
MANASQUAN – The Rumson-Fair Haven girls tennis team was the fourth seed in the Shore Conference Tournament, but in the end, they were tops in Monmouth and Ocean Counties thanks to strong team play over four rounds.
The Bulldogs scored back-to-back 3-2 victories over Holmdel in the semifinals, followed by Manasquan in the championship round to win the school’s third SCT girls tennis title.
The fourth seed came into the tournament losing just one match to Holmdel earlier in this season. But that 4-1 result turned into a 3-2 victory knocking off the top seed and earning a trip to Manasquan to face the third seed.
RFH got wins from Molly Martin at first singles, Norah Walz at third singles and Tessa Walz and Gladys Chan at first doubles to secure the championship. Martin, a senior who is committed to Lehigh, has not lost a singles match in two seasons. She won her match convincingly at 6-0, 6-0.
Rumson-Fair Haven is currently in the Central Jersey Group 2 state playoffs, where they are the fifth seed. The Bulldogs will meet Manasquan once again Oct. 8, this time with a trip to the section finals on the line.
Girls Tennis
Shore Conference Tournament Final, Oct. 1
Rumson-Fair Haven 3, Manasquan 2
First singles: Molly Martin (RFH) def. Lexi Mills, 6-0, 6-0.
Second singles: Jessica Snyder (M) def. Elizabeth Casey, 3-6, 6-2, 10-5.
Third singles: Norah Walz (RFH) def. Sadie Nolan, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2.
First doubles:
Tessa Walz/Gladys Chan (RFH) def. Ella Jackwicz/Eden Amorelli,
6-4, 7-6 (7-5).
Second doubles:
Jamie Jackwicz/Grace McLoughlin (M) def. Bella Gesell/Lorelei Gaus,
6-4, 6-3.
The article originally appeared in the October 8 – 14, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
