The Pursuit of Perfection. Again.

How does the Westfield High School girls' tennis team follow up their magical 2010 season?

By trying to do it again.

The Lady Blue Devils went 21-0 last fall, winning the program’s first Tournament of Champions title, a second straight Group IV title (the eighth in program history) and a Union County Tournament title, sweeping all five flights.

This year’s team, which began workouts on August 22, will definitely have a lot of competition.

“We’re going to have 15 kids for six spots,’’ said coach Matt Varhley, who enters his third season as head coach with a 44-1 record. The team’s last loss was to Haddonfield in the 2009 Tournament of Champions final.

The team graduated second singles Sam Borr, third singles Debbie Wu, Morgan Murphy, who partnered with her sister Sarah at first doubles and the second doubles team of Katherine McKinley and Melissa Morawski.

Sam Borr was 18-6, Wu went 24-0, the Murphy’s went 21-5 and McKinley and Morawski were 23-0.

But the Blue Devils have built their reputation as one of the best tennis programs in the state for making smooth transitions. The new season begins Sept. 8 at traditionally strong East Brunswick, followed by a trip to Scotch Plains-Fanwood the next day.
Co-captains Lexi Borr – Sam’s sister – and Sarah Murphy are the only returning varsity starters from the team that beat Red Bank Catholic for the TOC title.

If was the first time in the program's history that the Blue Devils were successful in the championship (Westfield teams in 1994, 2005 and 2009 lost in the championship match). Now the Blue Devils are hoping to make it two straight.

“We have a lot of talent,’’ Varhley said.“We expect them to practice and play the right way.

The brightest star returns for the Blue Devils. Junior lefty Borr went 29-1, winning her second county title. Her loss was in three sets to Gill St. Bernards’ Tina Jiang in the NJSIAA individual finals. She enters the season with a career record of 60-3.

Varhley said Borr has worked hard during the summer. She has played in United States TennisAssociation events, one a clay court tournament in Virginia. She’s currently in San Diego playing in another tournament.

“She’s working on volleys, overheads, serves, but I don’t want to say more than that and give away our secret weapons,’’ said Varhley, adding that Borr will also begin the college recruiting process this year.

The lineup is open behind her. Sarah Murphy, who will be in her third year of varsity play, has expressed an interest in moving up from doubles to a singles position.
“Sarah went to a couple of camps this summer, and went to an academic camp,’’ Varhley said. “She’s a very, very well rounded kid.’’

She’ll find a different style as she attempts the move from doubles to singles. “The jump’s significant,’’ Varhley said. “It’s a different style. Third singles is based on consistency and finesse. First doubles is about power and aggressiveness.’’

Senior Marilyn Kowalski, who played third singles varsity as a freshman, will be contending for a singles spot. “She’s a great player,’’ Varhley said.

Seniors Sam Hindes and Taylor Ingber are two other possible single players along with junior Elizabeth Cusick, who also plays lacrosse. 

The team has been invited to the prestigious Moorestown Classic Tournament Sept. 17 and 18 in Moorestown. Westfield, which has a bye, will be joined by powerhouses Haddonfield, Holmdel, the host school, Newark Academy and Montgomery.

“We appreciate being invited with all those great schools and are humbled by it,’’ Varhley said.