Girls' Tennis Finishes Another Stellar Season

Moorestown girls’ tennis has become one of the more respected programs in not only South Jersey, but also the entire state over the past 20-plus years. The reasons for this include the stability brought by long-time head coach Bill Kingston, assistant coaches Ann Call and Ronnie Hughes, and dedicated players.

“Over the years (721-79 career record since 1982), the first and foremost factor behind our success is the many highly dedicated players we have had," Kingston said. "I cannot do justice to the exceptional contributions of the two assistants (Call and Hughes) ... over the years, and this year especially.

“They work with most of the players, including those in the varsity lineup in their earlier, more formative years," Kingston added, "and they provide valuable insight during varsity matches.”

In the 27 victories posted by Moorestown this season, the varsity players lost only three individual points. The four losses suffered by the Quakers came to the same two teams: three losses to Haddonfield and one to Millburn. The loss to Millburn came in the State Group 3 Team Tournament after Moorestown won the South Group 3 Championship over Ocean City 5-0, the 23rd consecutive sectional title for the program. Millburn went on to win the State Championship after claiming the Tournament of Champions.

“We proved to have the best number-two team in New Jersey—second to Haddonfield in CP Cup, to Haddonfield in strongest Classic field ever, and second to Tournament of Champions champion Millburn,” Kingston said.

Moorestown received dominating play from all the girls in the top seven this season, which included Breezy Maravich (first singles), Shelby Burke (second singles), Kelsey Ham (third singles), Rachel Bass and Lauren Culbertson (first doubles), and Kelly Hopkins and Sarah Kim (second doubles).

“The most improved player over a year ago would be Rachel Bass. In her first year in the varsity lineup (at #1 doubles) she and her partner earned a position in the semifinals of the state doubles tournament, which involved the best doubles teams all over New Jersey,” Kingston said.

In the middle of September, the Quakers hosted their annual Moorestown Classic, recording one of the most exciting wins of the season during the tournament.

“Defeating Newark Academy, 3-2, was the most thrilling victory of the season. They are the premier tennis team in New Jersey over the past 20 years," said Kingston. 

The Quakers run of success this season was not limited to the state playoffs. The team swept the Burlington County Open with wins over Moorestown Friends and all four Lenape schools. The girls lost only one set in the entire event.

The senior leadership on the 2011 squad could be seen both on and off the court for the Quakers, according to the coach.

“The girls practiced hard, competed well, and supported one another all the way," he said. "A team reflects its leaders, and these seniors—Rachel Bass, Lauren Culbertson, Kelsey Ham, and Sarah Kim—were excellent in that regard. I hope the girls who had considerable varsity experience this year will be motivated to do even better next year, and that the girls who did not quite make the lineup will be inspired to prepare hard to make their mark next year.”