April 10, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CRANFORD, NJ – The Johnson Crusaders boys’ tennis team continued their impressive tear to start the season, as they defeated the Cranford Cougars 5-0 on Tuesday afternoon to improve to 4-0 on the season and 3-0 in conference play.

The 4-0 start is the best start for Johnson since going 5-0 to open the 2002 season. The Crusaders remain in first place in the Mountain Valley Conference, going 3-0 for the first time since starting 8-0 in 2003.

Johnson’s magic number to clinch a spot in their eighth straight NJSIAA Tournament is lowered to two, as they have reached the halfway mark to last seasons win total, and have already passed last year’s conference win total.

There were several historic individual accomplishments as well. Luke Ginocchio equaled Mike Monagle’s 4-0 start in 2002, as the best start for a third singles player in modern era Johnson Tennis history with a 7-5, 6-1 victory. Plus, the first doubles team of James Villari and John Monagle made history of their own, getting off to the best start to a season for a first doubles team in modern era history, extending their record to 4-0 with a 6-0, 7-5 win. Villari and Monagle passed Devin Felter and Chintan Patel’s 3-0 start to the 2002 season.

Johnson returns home to the JTC tomorrow afternoon for a 4 p.m. contest with the Plainfield Cardinals, the first regular season meeting between the two schools since 2002.

RESULTS

Arthur L Johnson 5, Cranford 0

Apr 10, 2007 at Cranford, NJ

Arthur L Johnson 5, Cranford 0

 Singles competition

1. Chris Tylutki (ALJ) def. Jesse Hynes (CRN) 6-3, 6-1

2. Mike Keenan (ALJ) def. Craig Palmisano (CRN) 3-6, 6-4, 6-1

3. Luke Ginocchio (ALJ) def. Al Campagna (CRN) 7-5, 6-1

 Doubles competition

1. James Villari/John Monagle (ALJ) def. Derek DeCagna/James Casale (CRN) 6-0, 7-5

2. Eric Ginocchio/Brian Lutz (ALJ) def. Paul Truche/Dan Ho (CRN) 6-4, 6-2

Match Notes:

Arthur L Johnson 4-0, 3-0, Cranford 2-2, 1-2