Consistency and success have been trademarks of Dayton's boys tennis team
over the past few years. This year figures to be no exception, however, the journey to defend might be a bit tougher.
Last season, Dayton (15-5) continued its string of championships.
The Bulldogs were undefeated and captured the Valley Conference championship with a 7-0 record, won the Group 1 title for the third straight season and were crowned North 2, Group 1 Sectional champs, over county rival New Providence, for the fourth straight time.
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Dayton also finished second in the Union County Tournament, losing to eventual Tournament of Champions finalist Westfield.
"Although, this is technically a rebuilding year, our goals are the same: To win the Group I title for a fourth time. We have our work cut out for us though, because New Providence is loaded this year and look to be the class of Group I," Dayton coach Scott Keele said, who is in his fifth year at the helm.
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Dayton defeated New Providence twice last season.
Senior Dan Karlin returns at first singles with a 12-4-1 record from last season,
including a runner-up finish in the Union County singles tournament to Westfield's then-junior Adam Reich, The Star-Ledger's Union County Player of the Year, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. Junior Matt Neubauer, who played first doubles last season, will start at 2nd singles. Sophomore Ross Konesky will start at 3rd singles.
Seniors David Pilmenstein, Brandon Helfand, Jason Condon, junior Dmitry Suvorov and sophomore Zac Corey are call-ups from Dayton's junior varsity squad and will play in doubles matches this season.
"I anticipate some growing pains for the new guys, but I'm confident that by season's end they will step up and be ready to challenge for the title," added Keele.
2010 Dayton Boys Tennis Season Schedule & Roster Season Schedule:
March: 25 vs. Glen Rock (scrimmage), 4:30 p.m.;
April: 1 vs. Arthur L. Johnson, 11 a.m.; 5: at Governor Livingston, 4 p.m.; 7: at Summit, 4 p.m.; 9: vs. Union Catholic, 4 p.m.; 10: at Madison, 10 a.m.;
13: vs. Solomon Schechter, 4:30 p.m.; 14: vs. Oratory, 4 p.m.; 15: vs. Caldwell, 4 p.m.; 19: at Westfield, 4 p.m.; 20: vs. Bernards, 4 p.m.; 22: at Union County Tournament (Don Van Blake Courts – Plainfield), TBA; 27: at Roselle Park, 4 p.m.; 28: at Rahway, 4 p.m.; 29: at New Providence, 4 p.m.; 30: vs. Summit, 4 p.m.;
May: 4: at Livingston, 4 p.m.; 5: at Scotch Plains, 4 p.m.; 7: at Oratory, 4 p.m.; 10: at J.P. Stevens, 4 p.m.; 12: vs. Cranford, 4 p.m.; 14: vs. New Providence, 4 p.m.
(Note: All home matches played at the Dayton Tennis Courts in front of the school)
Roster:
Seniors (4): Dan Karlin, David Pilmenstein, Brandon Helfand, Jason Condon.
Juniors (2): Matt Neubauer, Dmitry Suvorov.
Sophomores (2): Ross Konesky, Zac Corey.
