Boys Tennis Plans to Build Off Of Strong Foundation

New head tennis coach Paul Chaput will have a much better idea just what kind of a team he inherited from retired coach Bob McNaught sometime later tonight.

Chaput doesn't seem too concerned about it, though.

"Bob left a good foundation," said Chaput, whose Hilltoppers open their rugged schedule today against Governor Livingston. "This area is a hot bed for tennis. But it's a rebuilding year and The Star Ledger didn't list us as a contender in Group II. Chatham is supposed to win it."

And Governor Livingston is listed as a team that could challenge for a title. So today's 4 p.m. match at Memorial Field Complex in Summit will provide a pretty good gage of Hilltopper potential.

With just four returning lettermen from last year's 11-7 team, expectations wouldn't seem to be terribly high. Yet one of those coming back, senior Connor Kastenbaum, thinks Summit will be just fine.

"I think we have a good chance to be as good as last year," said Kastenbaum, who played first doubles last year but will likely play singles this season. "I know I've improved and Max (Pollinger) has gotten a lot better. We'll have our work cut out for us. There are some good teams out there, like Chatham, Livingston and New Providence."

The Hilltoppers finished an impressive fifth among 16 mostly quality Union County teams in the counties last season.

Pollinger is one piece of the puzzle that's already in place for Chaput. The senior, one of three tri-captains along with Kastenbaum and Tom Alexander, is likely to be the top singles player for the Hilltoppers.

"He's an all-around player," Chaput said. "He looks like he'll be No. 1."

The top doubles team seems destined to be Alexander and Carlo Stadlinger, another senior. But second doubles is up for grabs, Chaput said, as is second and third singles.

Among those battling for the other singles slots are Gabe Rissman Eric Hermann and Matt Celona, a freshman.

"It's a good question," Chaput said of the open slots. "There are even some very promising junior varsity players who could win some challenge matches and move up. Some may play next week in our two matches during spring break, depending on who's available."

Chaput said he puts quotation marks around the term 'junior varsity' because the battle is so wide open this season.

Though practice began on March 5, the opportunities to get out on the courts have been few, thanks to record March rainfall in the area. But the time has not been wasted. Chaput has his team–comprised of 24 JV and 16 varsity players–hitting the gym on inclement days. Sprints, jumping rope, and weights are all part of the regimen.

Chaput, who keeps abreast of the latest developments in tennis fitness, has his Hilltoppers strengthening their core areas–something he calls essential to playing the game–through an exercise known as 'the Plank.' The plank involves a partial push-up in which the player raises up on his elbows and holds the position for two minutes. It doesn't look like a lot of fun, but the two players asked to demonstrate it are more than willing to do it.

"They're already getting better at it," Chaput said. "The core is essential, but so are the shoulders. But you have to be careful because you don't want them muscle-bound."

Chaput taught tennis for years and has worked at both the Colony Club in Chatham Township and the Murray Hill Tennis Club in New Providence. He has also coached at Chatham High School and served as the girls coach at Summit in 2004. He got the call two months ago from Summit athletic director Mike Sandor, who asked him if he'd like to get back in coaching after McNaught retired.

Chaput, a man who exudes passion and love for the game, jumped at the chance.

"Absolutely I'm glad to be back coaching," he said. "Winter's over, the first match is coming up. It's great."

After Livingston, it's two more difficult challenges with Dayton and New Providence.

"Tough, tough, tough," Chaput intoned as he looked down the schedule. "But that's good, that's what you want."

Chaput said he works more with the doubles teams than the singles, noting that singles players ultimately have to figure it out for themselves. He stresses the mental aspect of the game, which he says is maybe as important as raw talent.

"Most of the game is mental," he insists. "If we play like we practice, we're going to be OK. I've gone through it. When there's an important match, there's naturally a little trepidation. I'm an old history teacher and I've told them a little adaptation from FDR: The only thing you have to fear is yourself.

"Easier said than done. The worst thing you can do in any sport is white knuckle it."

For now, Chaput likes the passion he sees on the court. But as far as mental toughness is concerned, that's as indeterminate as his team's potential.

"We won't know until that day (when they play the match)," he said. "We really won't know until the final point."