The High School South Girls’ Tennis Team won the Group IV Central title in the NJSIAA state tornament with an upset win over Montgomery on October 17.
The Pirates fell short of their quest for a Group IV championship as they fell to Livingston in the state championships at Mercer County Park on October 20.
But the team’s shocking win in sectionals was one that almost no one expected. It came against the same Montgomery team that knocked previously undefeated High School North from the tornament in the semifinal round. South beat No. 7 Mongomery, 3-2.
Wins by Belinda Ji at first singles (6-3, 6-3) and Margaret MacArthur at second singles (6-4, 6-4) were key. Angela Li and Sanjana Ravi took second doubles (6-2, 6-4) in straight sets for the third point.
In the semifinal round Ji won at first singles, and the Pirates took both doubles matches as they beat East Brunswick on October 13 to advance to the sectional final.
Ivy Kang and Rebekka Hansen won at first doubles while Sanjana Ravi and Angela Li won at second doubles.
South defeated Marlboro in the quarterfinals on October 11. Ji and MacArthur won at first and second singles, and Angela Li and Sanjana Ravi took second doubles.
On October 6, in the first round, the team advanced 4-1 with wins by Ji at first singles, Macarthur at second singles, and Sahana Jayaraman at third singles. Li and Ravi won at second doubles.
MacArthur won at second singles for South in a Central Jersey, Group IV first-round match in West Windsor on October 6. Rachael Peters and Kristen Malpas provided Steinert with a point with a victory at first doubles.
What’s impressive about the Pirates’ run through the tournament is that they did most of it without the services of Jayaraman — a winner of four Mercer County Tournament titles and a state doubles championship.
A nagging shoulder returned during her third singles match against Marlboro and she was forced to retire in the third set. She is expected to be out for the rest of the season.
“My shoulder hurt in the first set and I couldn’t serve. I served underhanded in the second set,” she said. In the beginning of the third set, it looked good for the team so I decided to retire — it wasn’t worth playing. Even when I sleep it hurts. I have to rest it and go back to physical therapy. I’m so proud of the team. I wish I could play.”
