Girls Tennis: Group 2 Watched Teams, 2021

FAVORITE: The cheapest

Demarest ranked second in NJ.com’s last 20 best rankings last fall. The Norsemen went 13-0 and lost just two older players — one in the first and second doubles. Anna Chow is back in her senior season. He was an All-State selection last season and has advanced to the fourth round of the state doubles tournament twice. Yahli Noy is also returning after being the second single in the last two years, and was an All-Group 2 choice during her freshman and sophomore years of study. Priyanka Khubani did not lose any matches on the third single. In the duel, Alissa Hsu and Zoe Karageorge have both also returned, and can be joined by many players with good UTR ratings in the duel, such as Noa Miller, Haley Chroman, Sydney Albert and Emily Sutnick.

Demarest is dangerous and won Group 2 in 2019.

PROVIDERS: Montville, Old Tappan, Ramsey, Dell River

FAVORITE: Mendham

It’s been a few years since Mendham has been at the top of his group, exactly in 2012. That’s when Mendham won Group 3 crowns. It has also won in 2004. With the change in ratings, this is an excellent opportunity for Minutemen. Mendham will replace two double players who have graduated, but will get back five starters who made it to the Northwest Area A Championship. Sam Matkowski, Isabella Watchow-Schmitt and Ella McFadden have all returned to singles, as have Amelia Paone and Julia Scala in singles. They all played in that regional final. Whitney Romweber also gained experience in doubles a year ago. Mendham needs to be in balance between doubles and doubles and be tough.

Leonia is another viable competitor, having lost 36-1 in the last two seasons in Group 1.

PROVIDERS: West Essex, Leonia, Governor of Livingston, Bernards

FAVORITE: Holmdel

Before anyone can beat Holmdel, the Hornets will remain a favorite in this section. Holmdel has sparked competition in recent years after winning five Group 2 championships in 2014-18. Melanie Chen and Chloe Hansen have been valuable contributors during their time, but now they have moved on. Nonetheless, Riya Shah has returned with the first singles of Holmdel and Nithya Thalasila characters to help the Singles survive. She played her third single in 2020. Amelie Baveja was in her second doubles game last season, but has a good chance of rising to that third single spot. Foursome has been a strong spot for the Hornets over the years. Preeti Parmar and Allison Hu are two young players watching.

Last fall, Holmel won 13-1 and defeated the Middle East C region.

PROVIDERS: Manasquan, Robbinsville, Hopewell Valley, Ocean Township, Rumson-Fair Haven

FAVORITE: Haddonfield

Before East Brunswick ran at the table in 2019, the last team to win the Champions Tournament title, which was not Millburn, was Haddonfield in 2012. The Bulldawgs are second in state history with 20 group crowns and they have won 19 block championships in a row. Just like Holmdel above, until someone beats them, they remain a favorite. Haddonfield will have to replace first singles Lily Hanna, second singles, Kate Morris and first singles player Alexandra McDonnell, but it is more than capable of that. Haddonfield has a huge list, and the main producers are juniors Samy Sirover (third single) and Lucinda Andrewes (first double), Ava Grookett (second double) and Tina Tian (second double). Other Bulldawgs watches include Evie York, Eliza Gordon, Emily Turnage, Courtenay Mackey, Genevieve DeCencio, Lily Cheatham, Julia Hart, Brynn Durham and Ria Khanna. York is expected to break the lineup of the freshman.

PROVIDERS: Cumberland, Delsea, Lower Cape May, Sterling, Oakcrest

Contact Chris Nalwasky at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @ChrisNalwasky.