Serving up a comeback

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Elijah Cabalan, who played 1st Singles all season and picked up six wins, positions himself for the opponent’s next shot.

BY RILEY CADET 

The tennis team wrapped up the season with a score of 8-12. They faced a difficult season but battled back to win three of the last four games of the season. 

Despite a challenging season, the team came to earn three late-season wins against Wardlaw-Hartridge, Sayreville, and Piscataway. “[I] Learn[ed] how to control nerves and emotions during tense situations,” said Elijah Cabalan. “I also improved my overall game and skills in tennis.” 

This streak started with a comeback win on May 5 against Wardlaw-Hartridge after losing to them the day before. “It’s a day that proves that even the underdogs can pull off a great match,” said Diego Ovejero Fernandez. 

Sophomore Ruhan Patel, who earned seven wins in singles matches, tosses the ball in the air to serve.

On May 7, the boys won 3-2 against Sayreville on Senior Night. The boys made their mark before losing several seniors to graduation. “I wanted to make the best of it and set a good example for underclassmen,” said Cabalan. 

Prior to this Sayreville win, the Knights also beat The Bombers on April 14 with a score of 3-2. “Some of my highlights were playing with the team and winning hard matches that were difficult and long,” said Ruhan Patel. 

The team started the season strong with two wins against Matawan and Highland Park. “A highlight of our season is winning 5-0 our first two games of the season,” said Cabalan. 

Senior Ved Patel, who won four doubles matches, gears up to strike against his opponent’s next serve.

After those two games, the boys suffered two losses against Islein Kennedy and Edison before bouncing back with a 4-1 win over North Brunswick. “Some improvements I’ve made are my ability to play longer points and make my serve harder,” Ruhan Patel. 

On April 28, the boys played a close match against Metuchen. Patel overcame an undefeated athlete and remained the opponent’s only loss all season. “They’re number 1 in the white division, and I beat them,” said Patel. 

The resilient team powered through the challenges, allowing them to create a good season. “We’ve built a strong team and have gotten better throughout the season,” said Ovejero Fernandez.

  • Junior Devyn Schroeder, who won 12 doukbles matches while adjusting to four different partners, follows through after a backhand swing.
  • Senior Tristan Vendel, who won four doubles matches and three singles, charges in to return a drop shot.

Photos by Riley Cadet and Zoe Chin

Posted on June 10, 2026