The Mendham High School Boys’ tennis team had an incredible 2024-2025 season which showcased resilience and growth. Despite some of their early setbacks, the team rallied to secure significant victories – reflecting their determination and team spirit. Their current record is 9-9.
The season began with challenging losses to strong opponents such as Randolph, Chatham, Delbarton, and Scotch Plains-Fanwood. These early matches tested the team’s fortitude, but they served as valuable learning experiences. Under the guidance of Coach Cataldi, the team was able to display its resilience and make a significant comeback. The turning point arguably occurred with a 4-1 victory over Montville in early April. This was followed by another impressive win over Morristown, who at the time had a 7-1 record. The outcomes of these critical matches highlight the team’s ability to adapt and adjust their strategy. This can largely be attributed to the expertise of Coach Cataldi as well as the leadership of the senior captains, Anthony Levine and Ryan Smith. Levine looks back on his most memorable match – the first match of the season – and predicts the success of the team with his positive outlook. He stated, “I really felt good about our team and how we would do this year.”
The team’s roster this year was incredibly dynamic. With a combination of seasoned and unseasoned players, underclassmen and upperclassmen, the team’s varying experiences and walks of life made their skill sets incredibly diverse. Junior Kyle Murray led at first singles, while seniors like Levine and doubles players like Alex Russo and Ben Thompson provided leadership and experience. The synergy between players, despite their different ages and levels of experience, was evident in their cohesive performances.
When asked about his favorite match this year, Levine shares his feelings about their County match. Three of the five positions advanced to the semifinals, and the entire team won fourth overall. Levine reflected, “That’s really great, especially considering our first singles, Kyle Murray, who went to the semifinals, started as an unseeded player.” This statement both expresses his excitement and highlights the complex dynamic of the team’s players mentioned previously.
Looking ahead to the near future, the team stays optimistic. With state matches approaching, the team is determined to keep their winning streak. Levine noted, “We have our state matches coming up, if we win them, we’ll be sectional champs for the 4th year in a row, my entire high school career,” and added, “That would be really cool, I think.” The team is putting in the time and effort to achieve this milestone of Sectional Champions and preserve their string of victories.
In terms of next year’s season, the seniors, although sad to leave, wish the younger players all the best. Levine expressed his hope for continued unity and success by stating, “Overall, I just want the team to stay together and stay winning.” With emerging talents like sophomores Johnny Gafaell and Omar Etawil, freshman Lucas Antoniello, and the first singles player, Kyle Murray, the foundation of Mendham Boys’ Tennis is set for continued success.
This year’s Boys Tennis season stands as a testament to the team’s resilience, unity, and immense talent. Their journey this year highlights the importance of strong leadership and individual perseverance. The entire Mendham High School community wishes them the best in their State matches and cannot wait to see what they accomplish next.
