Metuchen tennis looking to move up GMC ranks
BY SHAWN LAYTON Staff Writer
The Metuchen High School boys tennis team will look to avenge its only loss of the season when it takes on South River this week. The 6-1 Bulldogs will look to hand South River High School its only division loss and gain a share of the Greater Middlesex Conference Blue Division's top spot.

"It's an exciting time for Metuchen tennis right now," head coach Rob Strauss said. "The first time we matched up with South River, we were missing two players. The division title could ultimately be on the line this week."

The two teams were slated to meet at the beginning of the week, but the soggy conditions led to a postponement.

The Dogs ended last week with a crucial 3-2 win over South Amboy High School. The two teams will meet again for a 3:45 p.m. match May 8. Metuchen won last week's match, courtesy of sweeping the doubles matches and picking up the third and decisive win at No. 2 singles from Matt Gigliotti.

The No. 1 doubles team of Alex Adamowsky and Andrew Barth defeated South Amboy's Luke O'Connor and Dan O'Connor, 7-5, 6-3. Adamowsky and Barth improved to 5-1 on the season. Their only defeat was a three-set loss to Bound Brook High School.

"Our doubles teams have given us great play all season," Strauss said. "Our two doubles teams are a combined 11-1, and their consistent play always gives us a chance to win matches."

At No. 2 doubles, the tandem of Nick Roberts and Robert Clarkson remained unbeaten after a 6-2, 6-4 defeat of Chris Ikan and Connor Anderson.

With the match tied 2-2, the match at No. 2 singles between Gigliotti and South Amboy's Kyle Septor would decide the outcome. Just a week prior, Gigliotti and Septor met in the preliminary round of the GMC Tournament. At the county tournament, Gigliotti won and advanced to meet the No. 1 seed from East Brunswick, whom he lost to.

"Matt jumped from JV to singles this season," Strauss said. "As expected, he struggled with the transition early in the year. This win over Septor was pivotal. This match really helped him grow. He gained so much confidence, and I think the benefits will be longlasting."

Gigliotti won the match 7-6, 4-6, and 6-2. With Metuchen's No. 1 singles player Dan Szwarc losing a rare match, the team needed Gigliotti to step up like never before.

"I told Dan that if he ever needed to lose a match to benefit Matt's future, this was that match," Strauss said. "You certainly never want one of your guys to lose, but I think the added pressure placed on Matt's match after Dan's loss really aided the development of Matt's game."

Szwarc was on the short end of another tight match against South Amboy's Kevin Kotsak. Kotsak handed Szwarc his only two divisional losses last season. This time around, Kotsak avenged a loss he suffered to Szwarc at the GMC Tournament,

"Dan beat Kevin pretty soundly in the tournament," Strauss said. "It was a big win for Dan, and it demonstrated how much he's improved his game. Unfortunately, Kevin got the best of him last week, but the two of them should be battling each other again this week. Kevin's coach and his father approached me after the match and said that Dan was forcing Kevin to play his best tennis. I thought that was great. Dan and Kevin have truly established themselves as the elite players in the Blue Division."