Allentown girls team enjoys season of firsts
Lady Redbirds win school’s first
state tennis title
BY DOUG McKENZIE
Staff Writer

The Allentown High School girls tennis team certainly knows how to make an entrance.

After qualifying for the Central Jersey Group II state playoffs for the first time in school history, the Redbirds did more than become an "also-ran." They won the whole thing.

When second singles player Jen Harrison won a thrilling three-set match over her opponent from Shore Regional last Thursday, the Redbirds celebrated the team title, in what essentially became the program’s coming-out party.

"We were lucky to qualify for the state tournament," said head coach Denise Wadams. "We play so many bigger schools, that it is very tough for us to qualify. But we had so many rain-outs that we didn’t face the normal schedule, and since the cut-off is so early in the season, we lucked out, and got in."

And the Redbirds made the most of their opportunity.

"We knew that, if given a chance to play other Group II schools, we would do well," Wadams said. "And these girls worked extremely hard and brought their level of play up this season. By the time they hit the tournament, they were playing very well."

The season began with some excitement, as the Redbirds were able to play on their brand-new courts at the high school. In years past, the team practiced and played matches at nearby Miry Run Country Club.

The five lighted courts were completed in Septem-ber, as part of the school’s renovation project, and their arrival seemed to provide a spark to the Redbird team.

"The on-site courts give us the opportunity to get in more practice time and allow more spectators to come to our matches," said No. 1 singles player Kristen Mueller.

The renewed excitement led to a fast start for the Allentown team, and eventually, to their first ever state playoff berth.

The run through the tournament began with an impressive 5-0 win over Somerville. They followed that up with a 4-1 win over JFK-Iselin in the semifinal round, to set up the final with Shore Regional last Thursday. Contributing wins over JFK were sophomore Mueller, senior Harrison, junior third singles player Jessica Magowan, and the second doubles team of seniors Jessica Horner and Cheryl Garbowski.

Against Shore, Mueller put the Redbirds ahead early with a convincing 6-0, 6-0 victory at first singles. Magowan then got Allentown’s second point with a 6-0, 6-3 win at third singles. Horner and Garbowski were defeated at second singles, 2-6, 2-6, while the first singles team of juniors Krystal Lin and Janel Nissim also fell, 3-6, 0-6.

That left Harrison’s match as the deciding factor between a championship and a second-place finish.

After winning the first set 6-3, things looked good for Allentown. But Harrison dropped the second set, 4-6, setting up a deciding set, which she won, 6-2.

"It was so wonderful to see them all so happy with themselves," Wadams said. "We set out to improve our record this year, and knew if we did well, we’d have a chance to make the state tournament. We’ve just accomplished so much this year."

The Redbirds were set to face a tough Haddonfield team, the South Jersey Group II champions, yesterday at Mercer County Park.

But Wadams said that regardless of yesterday’s results, she couldn’t be happier with her team.

"The three singles players have been particularly impressive, but really all of the varsity levels have improved tremendously," she said. "Now they just need to remain focused and keep playing hard the rest of the way.

"We’ve got a lot of catching up to do, with the rain-outs and matches canceled because of high winds."

Allentown has been a very busy team of late, playing matches nearly every day of the week, in order to complete its schedule.

"Since Oct. 1, we have basically played matches every day, with the occasional rain-out," Wadams said. "They haven’t had any rest or practice days, which hurts them because they need that reinforcement that comes with practicing."

But truth be told, it would take quite a bit to dampen the spirits of Allentown’s first state champion girls tennis team.

"We’ve got the new courts, and now we’ve got a new banner to hang there," Wadams said.