Leonia Boys Tennis Serves a New Season
As spring arrives, so does the anticipation for the return of the Leonia High School boys tennis team, who are preparing for a fresh season with a blend of experienced returning players and hungry newcomers. After finishing last season with a major improvement from the year’s previous season, the team is looking forward to maintaining their increased momentum and competitively reach new heights.
Senior Joshua Ming, in his first season with the team, who is currently preparing to play in the singles division for varsity, is looking forward to being seen as a role model for the others. “Even though it’s my first year here, I want to show the younger players what it means to stay committed, focused, and support each other,” Ming said. He’s been arriving early to practice, often rallying with underclassmen, and offering advice between drills. His dedication has already made an impression on the teammates and coaches.
While Joshua brings maturity and leadership to the court, the team currently hosts a mix of talent and experience, with returning players and newcomers eager to perform. Coach for the varsity team, Michael McDermott, also in his first year coaching the Lions, is optimistic about what the future holds for the group. “There’s a real sense of unity here,” he said. “They push each other, and that’s something you can’t coach.” Speaking further on the matter, Coach McDermott revealed how proud he feels coaching the team, saying, “The group we currently have is extremely talented, dedicated, and committed to winning. I’m very excited for what’s to come and hopefully we can push far into states.”
Returning player for the singles division on varsity, Sophomore Tommaso Scordo, is stepping into the season with confidence and a sharpened mindset. After gaining valuable experience as a freshman, Tommaso is aiming to elevate both his performance and leadership on the court. He’s focused on consistency, strategy, and staying calm under pressure during matches. “I’ve worked a lot on my mental game since last year,” Tommaso said. “Staying composed and reading my opponent better are skills I’ve further valued as I watch more professional tennis matches, and I think they will take me far into the season, even farther than last year.”
The team has been practicing daily after school on the newly resurfaced courts behind the high school at Overpeck County Park, running drills that emphasize footwork, first and second serve placements, and in-game coordination. Leading up to the finalized lineup, the team also performed challenge matches on both Varsity and Junior Varsity to determine the singles and doubles positions.
The JV team holds a host of newcomers, including many underclassmen, who hope to hone their skills and improve tremendously as the seasons progress. Freshman Marcus Chen is enjoying the squad’s company and is eager to play in as many matches as possible in his first year. “I hope that in my matches I continue to learn a lot about my playstyle, areas where I need to improve, and how I can better adjust to my position on the team,” he noted. Marcus is playing for the JV doubles division, and he hopes to be seen by Coach W (coach for the JV team), his teammates, and even the guys on Varsity as a potential contributor in upcoming seasons to Varsity if improved enough. He noted, “I’m obviously very excited for the present, but I’m even more excited to show everyone around me that I’m willing to commit and stay dedicated, and I hope this truly translates and that I can play for varsity in the future.”
Varsity is hosting their first official match against New Milford in an away game on March 31, whereas JV will be facing the school on home turf.
