Tennis Team Rebuilds With New Crop of Players

As weather warms, tennis season approaches. This year the Chatham High School boys varsity tennis team contains a crop of juniors, sophomores and freshmen has one state championship under their belt, and a promising season ahead.

Overview

One season removed from a state Group 2 championship, the Chatham boys tennis team is heading into its 2011 season with a few questions. Without a senior on the roster, Head Coach Bruce Humphreys is looking for some of his underclassmen to answer the bell.

Last Season's Results

The Cougars were a force to be reckoned with in 2010 as they rallied to an impressive 30-2 record, earning a Group 2 state championship, but falling to Westfield High (29-3), 3-2, in a Tournament of Champions finals matchup. Chatham had stopped Westfield twice last season before the TOC loss.

Keep Your Eye On

• Jake Hart (soph) - With Humphreys looking for his underclassmen to lock up singles spots, Hart finds himself in the No. 2 spot for the Cougars.
• Alec Weber (soph) - Weber returns to the Cougar squad in 2011 and Humphreys expects big things from his No. 1 player.
• Chad Gildersleeve (junior) - Gildersleeve was a member of Chatham’s second doubles team last season. This season, the Chatham captain will again anchor the Cougars second doubles team.

They'll Miss

• Patrick Monaghan - Monaghan locked down the No. 1 spot for the Cougars last season, dropping only three matches all year. Monaghan now starts for Tufts University.
• Quentin Monaghan - Just like his brother, Quentin was a rock in the No. 2 spot for Chatham last season, going undefeated. Monaghan is currently at the USTA Training Center in Maryland.
• Matt Romei - Romei completed the trifecta for the Chatham singles lineup, losing just one match all season. Romei now starts for Haverford College.

Coach's Take

“We’re going to be rebuilding. We’ll probably start a freshman, all sophomores and maybe one junior, maybe two. It’s all new people. Who’s going to come out and assert themselves and dominate has yet to be determined.” -Humphreys

They Said It

“We did lose a really good singles lineup, the best in the state. And it is somewhat of a rebuilding year, but I still think that we’re going to have a good year. We have some really good potential and I think we’ll be alright.” - Gildersleeve

 2011 Chatham Tennis Team Roster