If the NJSIAA handed out rings for sectional titles, Haddonfield Memorial High School girls tennis coach Jeff Holman would need five more hands to be able to wear them all.
The team’s 5–0 victory over Middle Township on Tuesday, Oct. 14 marked the program’s 33rd sectional championship overall and 13th in a row. Clearly the goal of a sectional championship is instilled on day one of practice right coach?
“To be honest, I don’t talk much about goals like that before the season or during the season,” Holman said. “We focus on getting better every day and playing our best tennis as the season progresses.”
First, second and third singles players Arpie Senopoulos, Chelsea Brown and Holly Hoover, as well as first and second doubles Katie Pileggi and Sarah Smith and Olivia Alberto and Lizzy Benedict, were match winners for Haddonfield in the sectional championship. Senopoulos picked up her win in a 10–7 super tiebreak, a situation she has been no stranger to this season.
“Arpie exceeded expectations this season. She looked forward to the challenge of playing the other team’s best player every match,” Holman said. “Her record in close matches throughout the season has been outstanding. She’s won every super tiebreak she’s played this season.”
Despite graduating three senior captains from a season ago and starting a relatively new lineup this year, Holman said newcomers are eager to accept the challenge of playing for Haddonfield.
“The new kids are aware of the records of teams in the past, of the success they’ve had, and they want to be a part of that. We keep our JV players involved and develop them, try to rotate them so they can see what it’s like at the next level. They want to be a part of the team’s success,” Holman said.
