For most teams, having a lineup like the one at Rumson-Fair Haven this year would mean having a very good chance of claiming a state sectional title. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, that was not the case this year.

Rumson is a solid team, with better than average players at each of the starting spots. Their biggest problem is the state sectional they play in, CJ Group II, which also includes one of the state’s top ranked teams, the Holmdel Hornets.

The Bulldogs found themselves facing the unbeaten Hornets once again Tuesday in the CJ Group II final at Southern Regional, knowing full well that an upset of Holmdel was unlikely based on the results of prior meetings.

Earlier this season, Rumson coach Don Russell said that tennis is "one of those things where most people pick a winner at the beginning of the tournament, and are usually right."

The Bulldogs put that theory to the test, Tuesday, and for a while, it looked like an upset could be in the making.

At first singles, Holmdel’s Gordie Milchutsky was as dominant as ever, knocking off Rumson’s Matt Rodilosso 6-2, 6-1.

However, at second singles, Rumson’s Greg Rodilosso gave the Hornets’ Paul Buyanovsky a scare, jumping out to a 4-1 first-lead set. But Buyanovsky would rally to win the set, 6-4, and the match (6-4, 6-1).

Rumson’s third single player Pete Van Deventer had an upset bid in the making as well, and was tied at 2-2 with Steve Su before the Hornet pulled out to a 6-2, 6-0 win.

The Bulldogs got their sole win at first singles, where the tandem of Andrew Miller and Jeremy Richmond remained undefeated with a 6-2, 6-2 win, while at second doubles, John Kelly and Brendan Smith fell 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Despite the loss, the Bulldogs have put together another excellent season, and were on the verge of clinching yet another Class B Central title heading into yesterday’s match with Point Pleasant Beach. The Bulldogs were 9-0 in division play, while Pt. Beach was right behind them at 8-1.

With their state title run at an end, the Bulldogs can now concentrate on the state individual tournament, which will get under way June 1 at Mercer County Park.

Matt Rodilosso and the doubles team of Miller and Richmond will all participate. Miller and Richmond received the eighth seed, and an automatic first-round bye.

— Doug McKenzie