In their State Sectional Semi-Finals here yesterday, the Boys' Varsity Tennis Team came together once again, winning against Montclair Kimberly Academy.   The team had dominating wins at 3rd singles and both doubles.  At first doubles the Bulldog pair of junior Luke Sherman and sophomore David Shutov were the first ones off the court with a powerful 6-0,6-1 win. This was followed minutes later by D-E's third singles player, senior Jason Katz, who posted a solid 6-3,6-2 victory. At second doubles, sophomore Jason Yoon and freshman Zach Canelos clinched the win minutes after that with a rock solid 6-0,6-3 victory. Meanwhile, junior Jake Eagan was under the weather but fighting hard. He dropped a close first set, 6-4, but with the match already won he retired at that point.  At first singles, freshman Jordan Runyon was in a battle of his own, winning the first set against a strong MKA opponent. After he dropped a close second set, it was decided to play a 10-point tiebreaker in lieu of a third set. The MKA player came away with a 10-7 win in that tight tiebreak.

The final score was 3-2 and moved the Bulldogs into their 5th consecutive sectional Finals match.    For the Finals the Bulldogs will face longtime rival and #1-seeded Newark Academy at Livingston High School, tomorrow, Friday, May 18, at 3:15 p.m.  (Visit www.d-e.org/athletics for directions.)

The team is continuing their pattern of strong wins and close finishes against their rivals.  At last weekend's Bergen County Championships, the team came in a strong second to overwhelming favorite Pascack Hills, 17-14. Team captain and 3rd singles player Jason Katz won the 3rd singles championship, and 2nd doubles pair of sophomore Jason Yoon and freshman Zach Canelos won the 2nd doubles championship. Junior Jake Eagan was the runnerup at 2nd singles. The 1st doubles pair of Blake O'Connor and David Shutov made it to the semifinals, and freshman sensation Jordan Runyon fell in the quarterfinals of the 1st singles bracket, which had a stronger field than it has had in years.  

Coach Joe Iwanski summed up the Bulldogs' outstanding performance as follows:"Our team went undefeated in our league at 14-0 for our 5th consecutive league title.  We are currently ranked #2 in Bergen County at 18-3 overall.  I couldn't be more proud of our accomplishments."

Click here for a recent NY 1 segment on the Bulldogs' run to State!