Montville Girls Tennis Makes History, Advances in Tourney of Champions

Montville girls tennis is making their hometown proud as they head further into unprecedented territory.

The third-seeded Mustangs defeated sixth-seeded Glen Ridge 5-0 in the first NJSIAA Tournament of Champions match on Sunday.

“This is the furthest that any sport in Montville (history) has ever been. No team has ever gotten into the Tournament of Champions,” said Coach Ken Sachs.

The high school clap-out on Monday was to celebrate the girls’ win.  

“1,600 kids … lined the hallways, applauding us” Monday after school and the tennis team “went around the hallway high-fiving everyone,” said Sachs. “It was very well deserved.”

They head into the semifinals against second-seeded Haddonfield on Tuesday at noon at the Garden State Tennis Center.

“It’s certainly a great accomplishment. I’ve been in this long enough that those kinds of teams don’t come around a lot,” said Montville Athletic Director Paul Pignatello. “We have to enjoy the experience. No one in this school’s history has gotten this far.”

“Haddonfield is No. 1 in the State … and we’re the underdogs,” said Sachs. “The girls are playing superbly. Tomorrow, we’re ready (for Haddonfield). We’re playing our best tennis, playing with a lot of confidence and conviction.”

He added that this is a “very experienced team” and the “first and second singles have been playing varsity singles for four years.”

Seniors Kaitlin Sanzone and Kirstin Godau, "they brought us from obscurity to a program that’s prestigious,” said Sachs.

Sachs has been coaching high school varsity teams for 31 years, three sports a year.

“This is the best team I’ve ever had. They have such great work ethic and commitment, their togetherness … We’ve become such a family,” said Sachs. “This is something I’ll always remember … by far they are the best team I’ve ever had in terms of being a team and being a family and being there for each other.”

The finals are on Wednesday. In the other semifinals bracket are fourth-seeded Pingry and first-seeded Millburn.

Congrats to Girls Tennis:

• Kirstin Godau - 1st singles
  Kaitlin Sanzone - 2nd singles
  Erin Sanzone - 3rd singles
  Joanna Fass/Jillian Garfunkel - 1st doubles
  Paige Godau/ Alice Li - 2nd doubles
  Alternates: Alyson Resnikoff and Jane Beiermeister

The volleyball team made history by making it to the county finals for the first time. Girls volleyball has never made it past the quarter finals in the county championships.

Give the girls a shout out in the comments section below. If you went to the game yesterday, have a photo of the clap-out or are going to the game tomorrow, snap a photo and send it over with a score update to kim@patch.com or text it to 845 891 6816