INSIdE THIS ISSUE SJ PoWER PoLL .....................S2 GAMES to WAtCH ..................S2 PLAYER oF tHE WEEk .......................... S6 www.southjerseysportsweekly.com
Freshman phenom fueling irish PAGE S2
OCTOBER 23-29, 2019
Bulldawgs reign supreme Haddonfield girls’ tennis team collected its 17th straight sectional championship last week, the program’s 39th title in 44 seasons since 1975 By RYAN LAWRENCE Sports Editor
Haddonfield Memorial High School tennis coach Jeff Holman likes to keep his players active once school gets underway in September and then keep them active for the duration of the season. How active? Haddonfield played five matches in five days during the first week of the season. (It would have been six in five days, but one match was canceled). In week two, the Bulldawgs played seven matches. In the
RYAN LAWRENCE/South Jersey Sports Weekly
Haddonfield Memorial High School’s varsity tennis team — Molly Parks, Gillian Rozenfeld, Lily Hanna, Anna Swartley, Stella DeMarco, Kate Morris and Anna Tucker — show off the school’s new hardware, a South Jersey Group 2 championship trophy.
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FREE third week of the season, Haddonfield had matches each day of the school week, Monday through Friday, and then took part in the South Jersey Interscholastic Championships in Vineland that weekend. “There are some teams that only have one match a week and we play them every single day,” Haddonfield senior Gillian Rozenfeld said. “I like that,” junior Lily Hanna said. “I think it makes us successful.” The Bulldawgs take on Colonial Conference foes, they play in every in-season tournament available, they schedule matches against every top South Jersey tennis team, and they take on matchups with out-of-area foes, too, like Princeton Day School and The Lawrenceville School, too. The latter match, against a preparatory boarding school, resulted in a 5-0 defeat, the team’s first 5-0 loss since over a year earlier, also to Lawrenceville. And it came on the eve of the team’s sectional championship match. “It keeps them humble,” Holman said of a competitive and constant schedule. It also builds championships. Haddonfield’s senior-laden girls team scored a 5-0 win over Seneca in the South Jersey Group 2 championship match in less than an hour of work please see BULLDAWGS, page S8
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SOUTH JERSEY SPORTS WEEKLY
POWER
POLL!
1. Eastern Field Hockey
the Vikings, currently steamrolling their way toward a 21st straight state championship, have outscored olympic Conference American Division opponents 88-4 this season. (Last week: 1)
S2 SOUTH JERSEY SPORTS WEEKLY — OCTOBER 23-29, 2019
FIELd HOCKEY
Luck of the Irish: Bent-Cole making instant impact her speed and uncanny stick skills. “Well, that’s (Olivia),” Mark Vittese said. “(Controlling the ball with speed is) second nature (for her, too).” Bent-Cole, who has visions of leading the Irish to the school’s first state championship since 1985, spoke with South Jersey Sports Weekly before a recent practice.
2. Moorestown Friends Girls Tennis
the Quakers took an undefeated record into last Friday’s state championship match against Newark Academy. MFS has been ranked No. 1 in the state for the last month. (2)
3. Eastern Girls Soccer
Reigning SJSW Soccer Player of the Year kelli McGroarty broke Amirah Ali’s school career points record and was on the verge of overtaking her for the career goals record, too. (3)
4. Williamstown Football
the unbeaten Braves have a heavyweight bout at Shawnee this coming Friday. Last season, when both teams won South Jersey championships, Williamstown won 4814. (4)
5. Haddonfield Boys Cross Country
Martin Riddell ran a 12:41 at the 4k course at the prestigious Manhattan invite while teammates Andrew Gostivich (13:07) and Stephen kasko (13:15) weren’t far behind. (7)
6. Lenape Football
A respectable loss to Williamstown (28-21) at the end of last month is the lone blemish on the indians win-loss record. the coming weeks should be interesting with rivalry games with Cherokee and Shawnee looming. (Not ranked)
7. Camden Catholic Field Hockey
the irish 12-game winning streak came to an end with a 2-1 defeat against kingsway on oct. 14. Still, Camden Catholic’s only two losses are two two teams (along with Eastern) who are favored to square off in South Group 4 championship. (5)
8. Highland Football
Entering oct. 18, Johnny Martin and the tartans had reeled off five straight wins since a season-opening loss to St. Joseph (Hammonton), including wins over Clearview, timber Creek and Moorestown. (Not ranked)
9. Williamstown Girls Volleyball
the Braves have won six of their last seven matches entering the final weekend of the regular season and are unbeaten in 2019 against South Jersey foes. (9)
10. Clearview Boys Soccer
the Pioneers’ season-long unbeaten streak ended at 15 two Fridays ago against triton. But they entered the Coaches tournament as the No. 2 seed behind St. Augustine. (6)
GAMES TO WATCH
RYAN LAWRENCE/South Jersey Sports Weekly
Camden Catholic freshman Olivia Bent-Cole racked up 16 goals in her first 15 varsity games from her midfield position. The 14-year-old was named to MAX Field Hockey’s All-American watch list prior to her first high school season.
Camden Catholic freshman Olivia Bent-Cole may be only 14, but she’s quickly established herself as one of the best field hockey players in South Jersey By RYAN LAWRENCE Sports Editor
A high school coach’s ability to place a ninth grader into the varsity lineup is beneficial for a couple of reasons. For one, the student athlete obviously must be a pretty talented player. Secondly, the coach has the luxury of looking forward to utilizing that player’s skills for four years.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Cross Country: Burlington County Divisional Meet Races begin at 3:30 p.m. at New Egypt High School
“Unless she leaves or we get rid of her,” Camden Catholic field hockey coach Mark Vittese said with a laugh. Olivia Bent-Cole has been that kind of instant impact player for the Irish. The 14-year-old dynamo controls the midfield for Camden Catholic and has also tallied 16 goals in her first 15 high school games. Bent-Cole, a Philadelphia resident who was named to MAX Field Hockey’s AllAmerican watch list in the preseason, is one of two promising freshmen on the Irish roster along with Ava Moore. Vittese knows talent when he sees it. The Camden Catholic coach had three daughters play at the University of Virginia and for the national team, including his oldest, Michelle Vittese, who played for the United States in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Back in her own high school days, Michelle Vittese dazzled as a freshman with
Wednesday, Oct. 23 Gymnastics: olympic Conference Championship 5 p.m. at Cherokee HS
Friday, Oct. 25
Football: Williamstown at Shawnee 7 p.m. at Shawnee High School
SJSW: How long have you been playing field hockey? Olivia Bent-Cole: Since I was 7. So I’ve been playing for a while. SJSW: How did you get into it? Bent-Cole: My sister (Avery Bent) played. She’s a lot older than me. When she was a teenager, like 14, I was 7. So when she went to camps I’d go along. I couldn’t play with them, but I’d go through all of the drills. SJSW: Where did your sister play? Bent-Cole: Her high school didn’t have field hockey, but she played at UVA (the University of Virginia) for two years. SJSW: What do you like most about hockey? Bent-Cole: I love the teammates and the love I get from my teammates. I know whatever I do or whatever honors I get, I know they helped me get there. So I’m happy here. I’ve been doing this for a while, so I want to accomplish a lot of things. SJSW: You guys have done some things this year and have the chance to do some more. I remember the season opener, seeing you guys had a 1-0 lead on Eastern at halftime. Was that a good indicator of what was possible? Bent-Cole: Yeah, I think that showed us what we are capable of, so we just can never give up. And I think we’ve come a long way even from that game. SJSW: What are your expectations for the next few weeks? Bent-Cole: I think we can win states if we try really hard. We need all of the support please see iRiSH, page S7
Saturday, Oct. 26
Boys and Girls Soccer: SJSCA tournament Finals 6 p.m. at DeCou Field Complex, 1750 kresson Road in Cherry Hill
Tuesday, Oct. 29
Girls Volleyball: Moorestown at Paul Vi 5:15 p.m. at Paul Vi High School
OCTOBER 23-29, 2019 – SOUTH JERSEY SPORTS WEEKLY
Bishop Eustace’s Julia Faiola is in possession as Washington Township’s Claudia Milano gives chase.
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Bishop Eustace’s Alex Senior gets ready to backhand the ball into the cage for the Crusaders’ first goal of the game as Township goalie Audrey Ross makes a diving attempt to thwart the shot.
Alexa Ronning scored five minutes into overtime to send Bishop Eustace Prep to a 3-2 win over Washington Township on Oct. 17 in Pennsauken. Alex Senior and Claire Vassel also scored for Eustace while Grace Kim and Hannah Schraeder scored for Township. Minutemaids goalie Audrey Ross also made a save on a penalty stroke. Bishop Eustace’s Abby Miller winds up for a shot.
Eustace sophomore Alexa Ronning is congratulated by teammates Alex Senior, Keira Poyatt and Abby Miller after her overtime goal clinched the Crusaders win.
Washington Township’s Grace Kim, Dani Gindville, Taylor Knox, Jennie Boyle and goalkeeper Audrey Ross prepare for a penalty corner.
Washington Township’s Jennie Boyle moves upfield as Bishop Eustace’s Rachel Sobocinski closes in.
All Photos: RYAN LAWRENCE/South Jersey Sports Weekly
Washington Township’s Dani Gindville and Bishop Eustace’s Alexa Ronning battle for possession near the sideline.
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SOUTH JERSEY SPORTS WEEKLY — OCTOBER 23-29, 2019
GIRLS TENNIS
Cherry Hill East, champions again
Mike Monostra/South Jersey Sports Weekly
Moorestown poses for a team photo with the championship trophy after winning the South Jersey Group 3 final over Shawnee last Tuesday. Pictured from left: head coach Steve Dickerson, Grace Leese, Emma Regovich, Julia McBride, Paige O’Neil, Lia Streibich, Maya Butani, Julia Sullivan and assistant coach Sarah Fisher.
An extra sweet Senior Day Moorestown’s senior-heavy lineup celebrates Senior Day with a second straight sectional title By MIKE MONOSTRA Sports Editor
When organizing Moorestown girls tennis’ 2019 Senior Day earlier this year, the junior class decided to schedule it for Oct. 15, the team’s second-tolast home match of the season against Pemberton Township. They didn’t realize Oct. 15 would be the day Moorestown would play in the South Jersey Group 3 final if they made it that far.
The Pemberton match was cancelled once Moorestown advanced to the sectional final against Shawnee. Rather than reschedule Senior Day, Moorestown decided to carry on with the festivities. It ended up being a fitting occasion. The Quakers won their second consecutive sectional title, 4-1, over Shawnee, with a lineup composed mostly of seniors who have played a huge role in making Moorestown a state title contender again over the past two seasons. “It just made it 10 times more special,” first doubles player Julia Sullivan said of the Senior Day arrangement. “To be able to finish this huge match with everyone supporting us, our friends and family … it felt so much better.” This year’s senior class got to experience the full gamut of emotions during their four
years with Moorestown. With Moorestown competing in Central Jersey Group 3 in 2016 and 2017, the Quakers failed to win a sectional title both years, snapping a 27-year run of consecutive sectional championships. Shifting back to South Jersey Group 3 in 2018, Moorestown became sectional champions again and made a run all the way to the Group 3 state final before falling to Millburn. Though the team had plenty of success last year, the seniors described this year’s team as the tightest they’ve been a part of. “We’ve bonded really well, even with JV, we’ve done everything together,” senior second singles player Grace Leese said. “It’s been a great season. I think we’ve done more together than we’ve ever done in the past.” Moorestown’s success went please see QUAKERS, page S7
RYAN LAWRENCE/South Jersey Sports Weekly
Cherry Hill Public Schools athletic director Mike Beirao presents the South Jersey Group 4 championship trophy to Cherry Hill East players, including (from left) Michaela Kennedy, Elliana Tonghini, Sanjana Doshi, Naomi Korn and Pallavi Goculdas.
The senior-laden Cougars finished off their path to an impressive 18th sectional championship in the last 21 seasons by defeating Lenape 5-0 By RYAN LAWRENCE Sports Editor
With more than two dozen of her teammates watching, including the girls who will compete to jump into the vacant varsity spots next summer, Mari Kimenker reset herself mentally. She may have been down 5-2 in the second set of her sec-
ond singles match in the South Jersey Group 4 championship against Lenape, but she wasn’t out. And she had been in a somewhat similar situation in the semifinal round, dropping the first set, 6-0, and trailing in the second, 5-1, against Freehold Township. Kimenker rallied to take that second set less than a week earlier. She knew she could do it again. “I’m a natural procrastinator and sometimes that comes to my demise,” the Cherry Hill East senior said with a laugh. “It’s not on purpose. Under pressure, something happens where I reach a level of play that I wasn’t reaching earlier in the match.” Kimenker once again rallied, taking the second set 7-5, sending East to a 5-0 win and setting off the celebration on the Cougars home court. For the 18th time in the last 21 seasons under coach Mary Jewett, Cherry Hill East’s girls tennis team was please see COUGARS, page S8
OCTOBER 23-29, 2019 – SOUTH JERSEY SPORTS WEEKLY
Haddonfield senior Molly Parks won her match at first singles 6-1, 6-1.
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Haddonfield’s varsity tennis team of Molly Parks, Gillian Rozenfeld, Lily Hanna, Anna Swartley, Stella DeMarco, Kate Morris and Anna Tucker joke around while showing off their new championship medals. RYAN LAWRENCE/South Jersey Sports Weekly
Moorestown’s Grace Leese watches as her backhand travels over the net.
Moorestown’s Julia McBride prepares to make contact with the ball.
Moorestown’s Maya Butani and Lia Streibich shake hands with Shawnee’s Kalena Gatesman and Michaela Pierznik at the conclusion of their second doubles match. Mike Monostra/South Jersey Sports Weekly
Cherry Hill East’s South Jersey Group 4 championship team: seniors Mari Kimenker, Michaela Kennedy, Sanjana Doshi, Pallavi Goculdas and Naomi Korn, junior Sofia Pavlenko and sophomore Elliana Tonghini.
Cherry Hill East senior Sanjana Doshi gets ready to hit a forehand in the second singles match of the South Jersey Group 4 championship. RYAN LAWRENCE/South Jersey Sports Weekly
SOUTH JERSEY SPORTS WEEKLY
PLAYER OF THE WEEK!
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SOUTH JERSEY SPORTS WEEKLY — OCTOBER 23-29, 2019
GIRLS SOCCER
Triton ready to extinguish long playoff victory drought After starting the season fast with a 7-2-1 record, the Mustangs are looking to make a statement and win their first playoff game in a decade By MIKE MONOSTRA Sports Editor
Kate Rathman Cherokee High School Senior Cross Country
Rathman is off and running, literally, in her final varsity season. She ran a time of 18:46.02, the second fastest time in school history, in the South Jersey Open Division 3 race, also the fastest time of the day. Earlier in the month, she was also one of four South Jersey runners to finish under 20 minutes at the Shore Coaches Invitational at Holmdel with the third fastest time in school history at the prestigious race. Quotable: “Kate’s win this past weekend was big for her,” Cherokee coach Mark Jarvis said. “It’s just her second 5K this season and she ran the fastest she’s ever run at Delsea. I can’t believe her four years with us is almost over. She has some big goals set up for herself as she gears up for the championship part of the season. She is truly the type of athlete coaches love to coach. Her work ethic and example she shows in practice has certainly taken our program to new heights.” ■
Sept. 17, 2018 is a date Triton girls soccer prefers to forget. On that date, the Mustangs took a trip south to Franklin Township to face off against eventual South Jersey Group 2 champion Delsea. The result was an ugly 8-1 loss for the Mustangs, their third defeat in what would turn into a disappointing 6-10 season. Nearly 13 months later, on Oct. 8, a rejuvenated Triton team hosted an undefeated Delsea squad. The Mustangs’ tough defense led by seniors Emily Martin and Nikki Tricocci held the Crusaders off the scoreboard for 80 minutes of regulation and through one overtime period. Delsea won the game in double overtime on a goal from Ava Szwed, but a statement had been made. In just one season, Triton had improved immensely. “I took it as a win,” head coach Danielle Spinuzza said about the Delsea game. “This year, the first game we lost 2-0 and here we took them to double overtime. And that’s a good team with multiple Division-I players.” “Even though we lost to Delsea, the way that we played, going into double overtime with an undefeated team brought us up a little bit,” Martin added. Triton is hoping to keep their confidence high as they aim to do something it hasn’t done this decade: win a playoff game. Triton’s last postseason win came in 2009 and the senior class is determined to end the decade-long drought this year. “For a lot of us, it’s about knowing ourselves,” senior Lindsey Burleigh said about the team’s focus entering the playoffs. “Even if we don’t have that overall conference bragging rights, it’s about our personal goals and what we hope to achieve. I feel like everyone is so hyped up for a playoff win that it’s going to take us far.” A few key factors has made Triton a tough team to beat in 2019. The team’s defense has been stout
Mike Monostra/South Jersey Sports Weekly
The leadership of senior captains Alyssa Gargiulo, Lindsey Burleigh and Emily Martin has helped lift Triton to a strong 2019 season. The Mustangs won seven of their first 10 games this year after going 6-10 a year ago. all season, allowing one goal or less in 11 of its first 13 games. A few freshmen have also contributed to the team’s success, including striker Brittany Boyle, who has scored six goals this year. “It’s been pretty crucial,” Martin said of the contributions from the freshmen this season. “(Boyle) really stood out this year, she’s our striker. She works (hard) up top to defend and help with everything.” Spinuzza believes a lot of the credit for this year’s success goes to the senior leaders, especially captains Martin, Burleigh and Alyssa Gargiulo. “I was surprised,” Spinuzza said of the team’s success, “but I was surprised because of the consistency, not because of their talent. I always knew that we had the potential to do really well, but we also have never had a group like our seniors with the leadership that we do now.” The Mustangs came sprinting out of the gate, winning seven of their first 10 games. In early October, however, Triton’s momentum slowed with three straight losses to GCIT, Delsea and
Clearview. The losing streak cost the Mustangs a shot to qualify for the South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association tournament. Triton finished in 18th in the final SJSCA poll, two spots outside of a tournament berth. “Senior year, I really wanted to be in it,” Martin said. “I thought we were going to be in it and then we dropped a little bit.” Triton isn’t lingering on the missed opportunity or the recent losing streak, however. The Mustangs realize there’s a bigger prize on the horizon and Spinuzza believes her team has the potential to make some noise in the postseason. “We didn’t try to harp on the past,” Spinuzza said. “We know we were close (to qualifying for the coaches’ tournament) and they’ve never been that close. They dropped with that last losing streak. But it’s the same thing with the conference. When Delsea beat us in OT, you’ve got to move on. There’s nothing we can do about it now. We’re focused on playoffs and hopefully we can make a run.” ■
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OCTOBER 23-29, 2019 – SOUTH JERSEY SPORTS WEEKLY
IRISH
continued from page S2 we can get from the whole team. But with this team, we don’t have any drama or anything, we all love each other. We’re all supportive of each other. SJSW: There are a couple of freshmen starters this year with you and Ava. That’s got to be fun, knowing this is just the beginning. Bent-Cole: Ava and I go back, too. The two of us have played up. We stayed back a year because of our age, but we play up at U-16 and U-19. … I started playing with her when I was 10 or 11. SJSW: Do you have a field hockey role model? Bent-Cole: Michelle Vittese or Melissa Gonzalez. They’ve always been up on my wall, back when I was 10, I’ve always wanted to go to the Olympics and play. SJSW: Where did you first see Michelle play? Olympics? Bent-Cole: I didn’t see the Olympics at first, I saw the (national team) play in scrimmages and in games against other countries and I really loved her. She was my coach eventually (with Spirit of USA’s club team). That was really fun. SJSW: I remember watching Michelle when she played here. She was incredible. And her dad just compared you to her. Bent-Cole: I like it. But at the same time, I always want to be as good as she is, and have that attitude to stay in the game no matter what. SJSW: Your coach talks about your speed. Is it two different things to be fast and fast with the ball? Bent-Cole: Yes, because you can be fast without stick skills. And for forwards, that can get
RYAN LAWRENCE/South Jersey Sports Weekly
Olivia-Bent Cole, 14, has been playing field hockey since she was 7 years old. She has visions of leading Camden Catholic to its first state title since 1985 and one day making a run at a spot on the United State’s national team, too. you a lot of goals. But if you’re in midfield, you need stick skills to get through people and manage your way up the field. So it’s two different things. SJSW: So how did you develop that so quickly, just playing? Bent-Cole: Yeah, playing for as long as I have and just doing the little drills, like pulls in the house, that helps. Indoors, if you have wood, you can (do a pull drill), even if you’re watching TV or something. SJSW: Did you ever play other sports?
QUAKERS
continued from page S4 far beyond team bonding. The team’s win over Shawnee was their 20th of the season. It was the first time the Quakers have won 20 or more matches in a season since 2015. An Oct. 1 loss to the state’s No. 1 team, Moorestown Friends, was Moorestown’s only loss to a South Jersey opponent all season. Moorestown’s all-senior first doubles team of Sullivan and Julia McBride
Bent-Cole: I did basketball and track. I’d still like to do track in high school. SJSW: Did your parents play sports? Bent-Cole: My mom (Dawn Bent) did track and my dad (Cecil Cole) did basketball. SJSW: It’s the fall of 2023. Where is Olivia Bent-Cole? Bent-Cole: I’ve always wanted to go to the Olympics in 2024, when I’m a freshman in college, and to get involved with the outdoor national team. I’m with the indoor (team) now, but I have to
also won a major title this year when they won the doubles tournament at the South Jersey Interscholastic Championships in September. First singles senior Emma Regovich believes the team’s failure to win a sectional title in 2016 and 2017 was a major motivating factor the past two seasons. “Losing the first two years, we really wanted to win,” Regovich said. “But coming out and finishing strong (is great).” The four seniors who competed in last Tuesday’s sectional final (Regovich, Leese,
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make the outdoor to (reach that goal). SJSW: We’re going to play a pick-up field hockey game and you can pick anyone from South Jersey. You have first pick. Who are you taking? Bent-Cole: (Kaitlyn) Cummins. I just love everything about her, I think we vibe so well on the field. She’s a senior. SJSW: Who is the toughest player on the team? Bent-Cole: That’s hard. Elena Leahy. She gets knocked down (and gets back up) all the time. SJSW: How about the smartest player on the team? Bent-Cole: Gianna Miller. SJSW: How about the funniest? Bent-Cole: We have a lot. Probably Katie Walsh. SJSW: What’s your favorite thing to do outside of field hockey? Bent-Cole: Hanging out with friends. I like traveling through the city. Shopping, lots of shopping. And eating. SJSW: Favorite school subject? Bent-Cole: Science. SJSW: Favorite teacher at Camden Catholic? Bent-Cole: Mr. (Michael) McNulty. SJSW: Do you have a role model outside of hockey? Bent-Cole: Probably Michelle Obama. SJSW: That’s a really good one. Let’s say we’re at the state championship game, Camden Catholic vs. Oak Knoll, they’re announcing rosters and everyone gets their own walk-out song. What are you going with? Bent-Cole: Ummm, I don’t know. Maybe “Yeah!” by Lil Jon and Usher. I’m not a big song person! ■
Sullivan and McBride) were also part of the 2018 state finalist team and head coach Steve Dickerson believes their experience played a huge role in their 2019 success. “You go into a match and you know what you’re going to get,” Dickerson said. “You’re going to get Emma and her aggressive play. You’re going to get Grace’s smart, high tennis IQ. You’re going to get Julia McBride’s double tactics that she implements. On down the line, they’re so solid. It’s going to be a big void to fill next year.” ■
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SOUTH JERSEY SPORTS WEEKLY — OCTOBER 23-29, 2019
COUGARS
BULLDAWGS
crowned South Jersey Group 4 champions. The sectional title win was an important one for the departing seniors. Five of East’s seven starters will graduate this June and turn the reins of the program over to the girls who cheered them on Tuesday. “As freshmen we had very strong (upperclassmen) and we were able to follow their example,” said fellow senior Sanjana Doshi, who played second doubles with Kimenker when the Cougars won the same sectional title in their freshman season. “So I think it’s been a constant thing, it’s our legacy and we wanted to just keep it going.” “I feel like all of us took leadership roles,” added senior and fellow four-year starter Pallavi Goculdas, “and made sure we’d motivate the team.” Upholding a legacy as rich as East’s tennis success could be seen as stressful for high school athletes. But the Cougars are as mentally strong as they are talented. “Pressure is a privilege — that’s a Billy Jean King quote, and I think it’s so true,” Doshi said. “I think we’ve all felt people relying on us. All of the girls below us look up to us and we want to set an example. Five of us are graduating, so it’s a huge thing.” Doshi, Goculdas, Kimenker, Michaela Kennedy and Naomi Korn will begin new journeys next fall, but the impact they made on the program won’t be forgotten. “Their hearts, every one of them plays with such heart,” Jewett said of what she’d miss the most. “They’ll do anything in practice, they do what they’re told, they buy into the psychological stuff, the mindbody connection. You could see that today with Mari.” Everyone saw it, including the two dozen girls who will try to make it 19 out of 22 South Jersey championships in 2020. ■
on Tuesday afternoon. Molly Parks (first singles) and Rozenfeld (second singles) each won their matches 6-1, 6-1, Hanna (third singles) lost just one game in two sets, as did the first doubles team of Anna Swartley and Stella DeMarco, while the second doubles team of Kate Morris and Anna Tucker won 6-0, 6-2. The sectional title was the 17th in a row for Haddonfield’s prestigious program. Since 1975, a year before Holman came aboard – the job only became available when the field hockey coach had to choose between hockey and tennis when tennis moved to a fall season sport – Haddonfield has won a remarkable 39 South Jersey sectional championships in 44 seasons. “It’s really an honor,” Parks said. “It’s great playing under Mr. Holman, he’s an amazing coach. It’s just a great program.” It’s a program that Parks and her fellow singles players at Haddonfield had been aware about since they were young enough to pick up a racket. Parks’ mom (Susan Parks) played first singles at Haddonfield during her high school career, just like her daughter. Ditto Rozenfeld’s mom (Phoebe Figland) and Hanna’s mom (Karen Wallace): they played the same positions as their daughters at Haddonfield. And all six – mothers and daughters – played under Holman. “It’s definitely a tennis town,” Molly Parks said. “A lot of kids grow up playing tennis and Mr. Holman as a coach, he’s kind of iconic. If you grow up in Haddonfield, you know they have a good tennis coach.” And you also know you’re always going to have a match, no matter what day it is. Even on Tuesday, when most other teams played their var-
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RYAN LAWRENCE/South Jersey Sports Weekly
Haddonfield senior Molly Parks gets set to hit a backhand during her first singles match. sity sectional title matches and went home, Haddonfield hosted Seneca players for more than a half dozen junior varsity matches when the courts became open while the varsity players posed for championship trophy photos. “I have close to 40 kids on the team, we have 15 others on the other side practicing,” Holman said. “With that many players, there’s always a chance that some of them are going to want to get good, work hard in the offseason and be ready to step up for somebody. … We try to get the JV kids involved. If they just sit around and watch, that’s not really going to prepare them for the next level.” And so they play matches, just as everyone at Haddonfield does from the first day of school until they’re proudly raising their championship trophies in mid-October. ■
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