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Be them foreseen or unforeseen, coaches at all levels of athletics are likely going to have difficult decisions to make during the season.
For Middle Township High School boys tennis coach Matt Gilbert, an easy decision for him this year was the selection of Nick Gibboni (senior, second singles) and his son Max Gilbert (sophomore, first singles) as the two team captains.
“Both players lead by example on and off the court,’’ Coach Gilbert said. “They were also the only returning two varsity players from last season’s (NJSIAA) South Jersey Group 1 championship team. Nick made a nice transition from second doubles last season to second singles. His strategy and mind set has improved for his singles game.”
“Max is a well-rounded baseline player and has become more consistent with precision volleys and a stronger serve. Nick has recently been accepted into University of Miami. They both hit with teammates to improve their games and play doubles against them to make them better players.’’
Max Gilbert began playing the sport at an early age and relatively quickly made his presence felt on the court.
“At four years old I would hit at the Cape May Tennis Club with my father and players from his team,’’ Max said. “At 11, I started competing in USTA Tournaments and quickly became ranked in the top 10 in New Jersey. My father has been a certified PTR teaching pro as long as I’ve been alive and has had summer camps and has been the head coach of Middle Township for the past 14 years. My positive influences are my parents and my teammates who push me to play and be my best every day.’’
Max Gilbert fully understands both his strengths and those areas in which he wants to improve as a tennis player.
“I’m very consistent and I capitalize on my opponents mistakes,’’ Max Gilbert said. “My stamina and endurance can out last most players. [I want to] increase the speed of my serve.’’
Gibboni didn’t compete competitively until he was a 15-year-old freshman.
“In the beginning, I wasn’t drawn to the sport on my own,’’ Gibboni said. “The coach of the high school team was also the soccer coach. Soccer was my main sport and Coach Gilbert saw me playing. He found me in school my eighth grade year and asked if I would like to try tennis. I wasn’t sure if I would like it, but I had nothing to lose.”
“From the first week [on the team] until my current position as a three-year varsity starter I can feel myself getting better every day that I play and that’s something that’s hard to get in most other sports.’’
Gibboni listed his volleying ability and an improved serve as being among his top strengths on the court. He is continually working on adjusting from a doubles player to being a singles player for the Panthers this season. His chief goals include reaching the fiftieth varsity win plateau and serving as a positive role model for the rest of the student athletes on the roster.
“Middle Township has a reputation for having on the strongest boys tennis teams in the area and this year will be no different,’’ Gibboni said. “Our goals as a team are to bring home our ninth Cape Atlantic League title and defend our South Jersey title from last year in winning fashion.”
“Most importantly, our goal as a team is to improve each other in every way possible to be the best players and the best people that we can be.’’
Gibboni listed the Middle Township tennis alumni, who fully support the current student athletes as being among his biggest positive influences.
“My biggest influence is my head coach, Matt Gilbert,’’ Gibboni said. “He has taught me tennis from the ground up and formed me to be the athlete and person I am today.’’
The Cape Atlantic League Tournament is scheduled from April 30 through May 2.
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