Rems is first GMC Tournament first singles champion for Metuchen
Rob Straus, the Metuchen High School girls tennis coach, entered the year knowing he was going to have a special player joining the team. Freshman Erika Rems, a four-star talent on Tennis Recruiting Network, was getting set to join the Bulldogs.
While the longtime coach knew he was getting a special player, what he didn’t know was that with the talent came a relentless work ethic and drive to win.
That work ethic has already translated onto the court and has taken the Metuchen girls tennis program further than ever before. For the first time in the school’s history, there is a first singles Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament Champion.
“I can’t even express how impressive its it is to having somebody come in as a freshman and be able to play as she did in that finals,” Straus said. “She played unbelievably well in the finals.”
Rems defeated J.P. Stevens own freshman, Elizabeth Yu with a 6-2, 6-0 victory to capture the county final last week.
The talented freshman is used to playing in big matchups as she spends the offseason competing in United States Tennis Association national tournaments.
As a 14-year old she displays the ability to remain poised regardless of the score of the set.
In the semifinals matchup, where she defeated South Brunswick’s Alexandra Iordache 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4, Rems needed to remain poised after she dropped the first set and found herself trailing early in the second. Rems stormed back to force a tie break and was able to win the final set using her dominate serve to propel her into the finals.
“I try to stay as calm as I can on the court,” Rems said. “I know how to deal with the stress so I just breathe and just take it by each point.”
The nationally ranked freshman entered the GMC Tournament undefeated at 10-0 while just dropping one set the entire season earning her the top seed. Her exceptional play earned her a place in the 9-16 seeds for the states singles tournament.
While the freshman has breezed through most of the competition so far this season, Rems knows the level of play will get more difficult as the season progresses.
“I know there is a bunch of great players in the tournament, some of who I am friends with” Rems said. “I’m not going to put that much pressure on myself in the states. I am just going to go out there and play my best and hopefully I get some good results.”
Even as Rems looks to add to her individual accomplishments, she appreciates winning with the team just as much. Metuchen is 10-0 on the season and all of her teammates were there to show support at the GMC Tournament finals matchup.
“She was able to enjoy the moment and share it with them,” Straus said. “Everybody was there cheering her on and supporting her. Having everybody there for the final was a remarkable thing for the program.”
GMC Tournament Finals Result
First Singles: Metuchen freshman Erika Rems defeated J.P. Stevens freshman Elizabeth Yu 6-2, 6-0.S
Second Singles: J.P. Stevens senior Deepti Talesra defeated South Brunswick junior Rashmi Venkatarama 5-5, default after injury.
Third Singles: J.P. Stevens sophomore Srinithi Kannan defeated South Brunswick freshman Gabriella Iordache 6-4, 6-1.
First Doubles: J.P. Stevens juniors Ishani Kulkarni and Vivya Talesra defeated South Brunswick seniors Anisha Malhotra and Swathi Chandrika 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.
Second Doubles: South Brunswick junior Anisha Javvji and Ashima Aharwal defeated J.P. Stevens seniors Christina Xue and Naina Asthana 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.