In the 2018 girls’ tennis season, Holmdel High School reached the final of the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions for the fifth straight year.
But once again, Holmdel’s bid to win the Tournament of Champions state title was thwarted by Millburn High School.
For the fifth straight time, Holmdel fell to Millburn High School in the Tournament of Champions state final match.
Millburn won this year’s state championship when the Essex County school edged Holmdel, 3-2, at the Garden State Tennis Center in Edison on Oct. 24. That result provided Millburn with its sixth consecutive Tournament of Champions state crown
The Hornets put up quite a fight against the state’s reigning girls’ tennis dynasty.
Holmdel’s third singles player, Natalie Cipriano, won her match, 6-0, 6-0, against Millburn. Holmdel’s first doubles team, Melanie Chen and Sydnie Nied, also won in the T of C final.
The Hornets just fell one match short of the ultimate victory. It has eluded them for every season since 2014, but they were not too upset after the match on Oct. 24. It is hard to be angry about losing to Millburn.
The Millers have not lost all year, and their players are especially hard to beat indoors. The Garden State Tennis Center is an indoor facility. There are no elements to affect Millburn’s ground strokes.
“They hit the ball so hard. On these fast courts, they are tough to beat,” said Holmdel coach Chuck Chelednik. “It’s tough to play inside. It’s a different kind of game. Outside you can be a little more patient.”
Cipriano actually excelled indoors. The tall senior likes to beat her opponents with relentless ground stroking. On the fast surface, with no elements, her approach led to a near perfect victory on Oct. 24.
“I wasn’t nervous going into it, so I was able to just hit all my shots and be consistent the entire time,” Cipriano said. “This whole tournament I’ve been playing really well, so I was just keeping that same energy.”
Cipriano recently committed to continue her tennis career in college, at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.
“I’m looking forward to going there and playing next year,” Cipriano said.
Chen and Nied are underclassmen. After excelling at first doubles this year, culminating with a victory in their Tournament of Champions match, they look ready to jump to singles spots next year.
Both players are equally adept at ground stroking and volleying. They have the all-around games to make a smooth transition.
Plus, Holmdel’s first and third singles players, Victoria Vought and Cipriano, are graduating. So, two spots will be open next year.
“We both played really well this year,” Chen said.
“Really, really well,” Nied added.
Right now, with this season’s success fresh in their minds, both players are professing their love for doubles.
“I definitely want to move up the ladder,” Nied said. “But I do like doubles more.”
“Yeah, I’ll probably stick with doubles,” Chen said.
Holmdel has plenty of time to figure out next year. For now, the Hornets are reflecting on what they accomplished this year. The annually long list was as impressive as ever in 2018.
Another NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 2 sectional tournament title, a Group 2 state tournament championship and a Tournament of Champions final appearance. The Hornets have accomplished all three things in each of the past five seasons.
“We’ve all worked very hard. I’m so proud of everyone for making it back,” said senior Victoria Vought, Holmdel’s first singles player. “It’s really been very rewarding to work with everyone.”
