They started the season quietly, with a quick blow-off from their contending team. But now, the J.P. Stevens Boys Tennis team is making a noise; it is not just a rally but a huge comeback. With muscle in every forehand and refined technique on each serve, the Hawks have transformed from underdogs to one of the most feared teams in the GMC Red Division. The Hawks have clawed their way back to the top spots, with four power-packed wins from the last 5 matches, bringing their record to a solid 4:3, win-to-loss. Led by seasoned head coach Ari Rosenberg, this squad isn’t just bouncing back; they’re soaring.
Leading the team at first singles and taking the role of Captain, Junior Aarav Yadav had some tough opening matches, but still persevered to shine his brightest light. His teammates describe him as “determined” and someone who is “ready to take on a challenge”, outlining the leadership qualities that Yadav represents. Right behind him is sophomore Eshin Nadpara at the 2nd singles position, whose baseline consistency and mental resilience have made him a quiet killer in long rallies. Meanwhile, sophomore Swarit Singh has become a force at third singles with his relentless energy and strategic depth, often tipping tight matches in J.P.’s favor.
Doubles depth has been a massive asset this season. At first doubles, sophomore Ranvir Nath and senior Gahan Mottana have formed a solid foundation for the rest of the season, having a 5-2 win-to-loss record in their opening matches. Sophomore Krish Arora and junior Nimish Charankar have formed a rock-solid second doubles team, racking up crucial wins in the team’s mid-season surge. The sophomores and freshmen on this team have stepped up to the plate early, proving they have what it takes to represent a true hawk.
Yet one of the biggest accomplishments of this season was at the Greater Middlesex County Tournament. The Boys Tennis team had started off strong in the tournament, but ultimately Swarit Singh at second singles and Ranvir/Gahan at first doubles pulled up with a 2nd place and 3rd place finish, respectively. The best part is, that was only the beginning of their wins!
Under the leadership of Head Coach Ari Rosenberg, the Hawks have fought hard through a competitive early season and are showing signs of strong depth and future promise. Coach Rosenburg only has positive things to say about the JPS Boys Tennis team. He “enjoys watching kids grow both as players and as men”. The chemistry is evident when they step on court; doubles players sync up while singles dominate the scoreline. Recently, the boys had their senior night, and Coach Rosenburg was emotional about it– “I think my favorite memory is definitely sending Gahan off as as a senior, knowing that I coached him as a freshman and watching him blossom into not only a great tennis player, but just a truly great leader.”
With their season coming to an end, the Hawks are no longer flying under the radar. For future players to come, Coach Rosenburg had two pieces of advice; “always stay positive, I mean, the match isn’t over until it’s over.” Yet, more importantly, Coach wants everyone to “have a good second serve,” a lighthearted joke that encapsulates the team camaraderie. Equipped with a talented, young core along with an amazing captain, the JPS Boys tennis team is writing their story, which is just getting started.
