Mustangs capture a White Division title JFK tennis team chasing down team record for wins BY SHAWN LAYTON Staff Writer ISELIN - A 3-2 win over division rival Monroe last week propelled the John F. Kennedy High School boys tennis team to the top spot in the GMC White Division with just two matches left in division play. By avenging an earlier 3-2 loss to Monroe, JFK prevented a possible share of the White Division crown to win the title outright. "The team knew what was on the line," JFK head coach Sharon Dilonardo said. "They really wanted to win at home and take the division." With the victory, the team improved to 18-2 on the season with a chance of breaking the old school record for wins in a season with three matches left on the schedule. "The school record is 20 wins in a season," Dilonardo said. "This has already been one of the best seasons in school history. We have two division matches left to play and an out of division meeting with J.P. Stevens, and we're currently 18-2." The Mustangs will wrap up the season with a 3:45 p.m. home match today against South Plainfield and a road match Friday at Stevens. In the Monroe rematch, JFK No. 1 singles player Rahul Gulati improved his mark to 12-6 with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win Jasmin Lafierrere. "Rahul has the toughest job and he always gives us a nice performance," Dilonardo said. "We're very happy that he's qualified for the NJSIAA state singles tournament." Kennedy freshman Ron Singh fell to 17-3 on the year in a 4-6, 2-6 loss to Monroe's Samyak Saxena. Two of Singh's 17 wins came at No. 1 singles. "He's had a great year," Dilonardo said. "He came through for us in a big way against Sayreville earlier last week. If he doesn't win his three-setter then we don't win the match and suffer a second loss in the division. His win was key for us." Junior Trevor Jaye avenged an earlier season loss to Monroe's Amol Ghandi with a 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) victory. Jaye improved to an impressive 19-1 on the year. "Trevor made the jump from doubles to singles this season and he's been a very strong singles player," Dilonardo said. "He's comfortable around the net and is working on a serve and volley game." Jaye picked up two wins at No. 2 singles this season in addition to placing fourth in the GMC Flight Tournament earlier in the year. Juniors John Froelich and Neel Patel were unsuccessful against Monroe's Matt Sepe and Kevin Murtha at No. 1 doubles. Sepe and Murtha won the match in straight sets 7-5, 6-0. Froelich and Patel fell to 16-4 on the year. The tandem has qualified for the state doubles tournament. "John was an all-division player at No. 3 singles last season," Dilonardo said. "He's been a great asset at doubles and he brings a very athletic style of play to the court. John and Neel have partnered up really well." Getting the third team win was the No. 2 doubles team of junior Shashank Gupta and Hardik Shah. Gupta and Shah defeated Monroe's Lov Patel and Kevin Wohltman 7-5, 6-2 and avenged their only loss of the season. Like Jaye, Gupta and Shah took fourth place at the GMC Flight Tournament earlier in the season. "It's been a great year," Dilonardo said. "We can end it on a high note by setting a new school record in wins, and I think the team is up for the challenge."