BY ANALISE SAINVIL
With three straight wins to start the season, the girls tennis team quickly proved themselves in the GMC Red Division after moving up from the White Division. Behind steady singles play and clutch doubles wins, the Knights, who currently have a 4-3 record, have shown they can compete with the toughest programs in the conference.
The opener against Monroe set the tone with a 4-1 victory, highlighted by Kamilah Oulahrir’s 6-0, 6-0 sweep at first singles. “I’ve been trying to stay consistent and not let anything distract me,” Oulahrir said. “That first win gave us confidence.”
Freshman Ashmita Penkala delivered at third singles, winning 6-1, 6-2 in her varsity debut. She hasn’t slowed down since, collecting five wins in her first seven matches. “The highlight so far has been our strong start,” Penkala said. “Winning early gives me motivation to keep playing my game.”
Consistency in the middle of the lineup has come from Esha Mehta, who opened the year with three straight second-singles wins, including a super tiebreaker over Edison. “I focus on staying calm and taking it one point at a time,” Mehta said. “That mindset helped me close it out.”
The team leaned on doubles to secure their early wins. At first doubles, Emma Shekhter and Bianca Ratnayake clinched Monroe with a 10-8 tiebreak, then bounced back from three straight losses to shut out Woodbridge. “We make sure to talk to each other and pay attention during close points,” Shekhter said. “That communication helps us finish strong.”
Ratnayake emphasized the same point after their 6-0, 6-1 sweep over Woodbridge on Sept. 19. “We trust each other,” Ratnayake said. “Even when matches get tough, we remind each other to stay positive and fight for every point.”
At second doubles, Prisha Pattanshetty and Aanya Patel recorded wins against Woodbridge Magnet and Edison before splitting up for Woodbridge. “The team’s goal for the rest of the season is to play our hardest and compete to the best of our abilities,” Pattanshetty said. “We also want to build a stronger connection and make lasting memories.”
Patel highlighted the impact of the division jump, after Old Bridge went 12-0 in the White last year. “Moving up a division shows how much we’ve improved,” Patel said. “It motivates us to prove we can compete with the best teams.”
Losses to JP Stevens, South Brunswick, and East Brunswick handed Old Bridge a 3-3 record before Friday’s sweep of Woodbridge. Despite setbacks, the Knights collected four wins in their first seven matches, including 2-3 in the GMC Red Division.
For seniors like Patel, every match matters. “Our expectation this season is to keep improving, support each other, and stay competitive,” Patel said. “We’re aiming to stay consistent and make a strong run in our conference.”
The Knights will continue conference play this week, looking to build on Friday’s momentum. “We all want to keep pushing forward,” Pattanshetty said. “Every match is a chance to improve and grow together.”
The girls will face Edison Magnet school at home at the Municipal Compex courts at 4pm this afternoon. They will look to repeat their success against Monroe at home on Thursday.
Posted on 9/22/25
Photos by Safija Shatku
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