The Red Bank Regional girls tennis team won the Central Jersey Group 3 championship at West Windsor-Plainsboro North for the first time in school history.
Photo courtesy Florence Wright
LITTLE SILVER – Believe it or not, high school tennis is a team sport. Even when a singles player is out on the court alone, the support of teammates and the chance to play for someone other than yourself brings a great spirit and excitement. The Red Bank Regional girls tennis team experienced all of those thrills on the way to the best season in school history.
The Bucs won the school’s first sectional championship when they claimed the Central Jersey Group 3 title and followed that with an upset of six-time Tournament of Champions winner Millburn in the state semifinals before falling to Northern Highlands in their first state championship match.
Coach Krishna Kanuga has been at the helm of RBR girls tennis for 14 years and saw an experienced team mix with a critical newcomer to bring the team to new heights.
Freshman Janey Wright cemented the second singles spot with senior Madeline Solon at first singles and junior Mary Kalorin at No. 3. The senior team of Belle McCarthy and Quinn Bateman at first doubles, along with the second doubles team of Olivia Rogers and Mia Strand were the ingredients to a stellar 18-3 record.
Photo courtesy Del Dal Pra
Last year the Bucs saw their hopes of atitlecometoanendina5-0losstoWest Windsor-Plainsboro North. The fact that the Bucs avenged that loss with a 4-1 victory on the road against WWPN made the sectional championship even more gratifying.
With football and basketball getting student support at home games, the athletes of RBR made sure the girls’ tennis team felt special, greeting the champs when they arrived back on campus from the win.
The Two River Times got reaction from the Bucs top two singles players, the perspective of a senior leader and the high impact freshman on a historic season.
TRT: What does it mean for you to be part of a team that made school history?
Solon: Being part of a team that made history means the world to me, especially seeing as how this is my last year playing tennis for RBR. It really was an indescribable feeling when we won that match and to see so many of the people on the team including parents and our coach cry was so moving. We have all put so much time and so much energy into getting better, working hard, and never giving up that when you see it all pay off in the end, it makes you feel so amazing and very proud. It is one thing to win a match for yourself, but when the whole team comes together and wins a champion- ship it means so much more. This win also means a lot to me because this is my last year at RBR. To know that I played a part in making history at this school is something that I am very honored to have done and it is nice to know that I will be remembered for all of my contribution to the team.
Wright: I feel really lucky to have experienced this as a freshman. The fact that this has never happened in school history is a bit overwhelming. Looking at the trophy I was thinking about how cool it will be to come back for a visit in 20 years and see our state trophy!
TRT: What do you think the key is that allowed this team to take the next step and win a sectional title?
Solon: I think the reason we made it so far this year is because of how well we all supported one another. For many people tennis may seem like an individual sport, and in some cases it is, but none of us looked at it that way. We all were there for each other in EVERY SINGLE match. Sometimes it would come down to third singles or one of the doubles teams to determine the outcome of the match, and when this happened all of us would cheer them on and give them words of encouragement. And no matter what happened we all looked out for each other. Another reason why we made it so far is because of the drive that we all had to do more and be better. Last year we shared the division with Ocean and broke the record for most wins at our school. However, this year I think we all knew we were capable of being the sole winners of the division and making it farther in all of the tournaments. This motivation ended up helping us in the long run and we did make this the best season in RBR history!
Wright: As a freshman, I wasn’t there last year but I felt really supported and welcomed by the upperclassmen. We have really bonded on and off the court as friends. Coach Kanuga has really made me feel that I was a valuable addition to the team and that we could win the division and perhaps even go far in the states.
TRT: What does it mean to have the support of the entire school and what was it like when you returned back after winning the big match against West Windsor-Plainsboro North?
Solon: The memory of pulling back up to RBR after winning our match is one that I will remember forever. To have all of the other sports teams, friends and family there all together was so thoughtful and nice. I don’t think any of us were expecting it and that only made it more amazing. In previous years, the girls’ tennis team has not always gotten as much publicity or recognition as some of the other sports, so to see everyone there cheering just for us and congratulating us was a really, really special feeling. So thank you to our athletic director Del (Dal Pra) and athletic trainer (Christina) Emerich for putting it all together. The support from the teachers and other kids in the school has been awesome as well. When I have walked in the hallway so many people have said “congratulations” or “good luck in your next match” and that makes you feel really good, not only for yourself but for the whole school because I think they are proud as well to know that they go to a school that has done something important. None of this would have been possible without the dedication and heart that our Coach Kanuga has put into this team. He truly is one of the best people that I know and has made an impact on my life in so many ways. I am very thankful to have learned from him over my four years at the school. Without his constant motivation and support as well as funny personality the team would not be the same as it is today.
Wright: It was crazy fun and exciting that everyone came out to cheer us after we won. It was so great to be recognized by the other sports teams. Now at school, the teachers and other students have been coming up to us and giving us congratulations. One of my teachers even had the entire class applaud me. The fire truck escort on the way to RBR was pretty cool, too.
