Ruffners enjoyed being
teammates with Mustangs
Sisters led Marlboro
to Central Jersey, Shore Conference titles
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

Marlboro’s Kendal Ruffner

It was a doubly satisfying tennis season for Marlboro’s Kirstin and Kendal Ruffner.

The sisters not only led the Mustangs to the Central Jersey Group IV and Shore Conference A North Division titles and a 21-2 overall record, but for the first time they were teammates.

"It was neat," said Kendal, a freshman who played first singles. "It was fun for both of us."

Outside of playing doubles together at ETA tournaments, this was the first time that they experienced being teammates.

Kirstin, a sophomore who plays second singles, learned about the benefits of playing for a team last year when the ’Stangs won A North and reached the state sectional finals.

"It’s fun being part of a team," said Kirstin. "You play for yourself so much in tennis. Playing for a team, you have other players relying on you."

Kendal learned about that this fall while doing a stellar job at first singles.

"It made me play better. There’s a lot more pressure on you," she said.

Kendal also enjoyed the camaraderie of being part of a team.

"Everyone got along so well," she said. Including the Ruffners.

There is no sibling rivalry here. Kirstin was able to accept that Kendal would come in and take over her position at first singles. Not all sisters could accept that without it becoming destructive to the team. But doing whatever they can to help Marlboro win is the No. 1 priority for the sisters.

Coach Dave Kretzmer saw a constructive relationship between the girls that made them both better players.

"They are supportive of each other and want what is best for each other," he said.

Together they helped bring the Mustangs back to state prominence. Along with the state sectional and divisional titles, Marlboro shared the Monmouth County Flight Tournament championship with Manasquan, which it lost to in the Shore Conference Tournament finals.

Kendal and Kirstin both won their respective flights at the county tournament. Also winning for the Mustangs were the first doubles team of Lauren Frishman and Stephanie Haar.

For veteran Kirstin Ruffner, the 2003 season was a significant improvement over 2002.

"Our team was a lot better this year," she said. "We went a lot further."

It was a loss to Cherry Hill East, the eventual state champion, that confirmed the Mustangs were one of the elite teams in the state. Marlboro gave Cherry Hill East its toughest match along the way to the Tournament of Champions crown, dropping a 3-2 decision in the State Group IV semifinals at Mercer County Park.

"It was a big effort by everyone," said Kirstin. "It was really close. It was a disappointing loss."

Kirstin knows what she would like to see the Mustangs accomplish over the next two years.

"I’d like us to do a lot better in the state and win the Shore Conference final," she said.

Marlboro will surely be picked as one of the state’s best teams next year. The Mustangs will have the Ruffners at one-two again and the doubles tandem of Frishman and Haar back.

Justine Winkler, who played third singles so well this year, will be lost to graduation.