Schenkler nets 700th career win as tennis coach
Raritan tennis off to 3-1 start
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer
The Raritan High School boys tennis team if off to a promising 3-1 start as it looks to better the 11-11 mark it recorded a year ago.

ERIC SUCAR staff Raritan High School junior Brian Hedges keeps his eye on the ball during a match at Middletown High School North on April 17.

The Rockets have defeated Matawan, Red Bank Catholic and Howell, with their lone defeat coming against Manasquan. Raritan was slated to host Rumson-Fair Haven on Monday and will visit Holmdel this afternoon for tests against two of the top teams in the Shore Conference's Class A Central division. On Friday the Rockets return home to play Red Bank Regional.

"Our goal, as always, is to qualify for the state tournament," said coach Gary Schlenker, whose team narrowly missed making the cut last spring. "Our guys have worked hard and it's important that we were able to get off to a good start. That's really helped our confidence."

The victory against RBC marked the 700th career win for Schlenker, who coaches both the boys and girls tennis squads at Raritan. This marks the veteran coach's 30th season on the sidelines.

With two strong doubles contingents, Schlenker said he is looking to pick up a pair of points there in as many matches as possible. Cory Hahn and Drew Illingworth, both juniors, are the first duo. Both players are aggressive on the court and will come to the net. They are 3-1 after posting a 16-5 mark last season.

Seniors Kyle Sullivan and Eric Rimas are the second tandem. Sullivan is a holdover from last season, who plays a consistent all-around game, while Rimas has been solid as well. They are also 3-1.

"If we can get both points at doubles most of the time that takes [the pressure] off the singles players," the coach said.

"That means we only need to win one of the three singles matches."

Hard-working Justin Jackson won the team challenges and holds down the number one singles slot. The gritty senior can play a baseline game and likes to come to the net, but in the top slot he has the unenviable task of lining up across the net fromsome of the top players in the Shore Conference.

BrianHedges is at second.Ahard-hitting junior, Hedges won his last two matches to even his record at 2-2 after opening up with a pair of losses. Both of his triumphs came in hard-fought three-set matches.

Schlenker has been using promising freshman Jon Seaman in the third spot where he is 2-2. The coach noted that Seaman is fundamentally sound and has improved with each match, but is still adjusting to varsity competition. "He'll be a number one player for us in the future," the coach added.