Phil Anastasia: Q & A with Cherry Hill East's Dyuti Das
Dyuti Das is a senior for the Cherry Hill East girls' tennis team. She is the No. 2 singles player for the Cougars, who won their third consecutive South Jersey Group 4 championship Thursday.
Dyuti Das is a senior for the Cherry Hill East girls' tennis team. She is the No. 2 singles player for the Cougars, who won their third consecutive South Jersey Group 4 championship Thursday.
It was their 14th title in the last 15 years. Cherry Hill East plays in the state semifinals Wednesday at Mercer County Park.
Question. What's it like playing for a high-profile team like Cherry Hill East?
A. It's great. There's a lot of pressure, but I think pressure can be a good thing or a bad thing. I prefer to see it as a good thing. It pushes you to do your best.
Q. What do you like best about tennis?
A. Playing against the opponent, trying to figure out different ways to beat her, and also the way the game always makes you challenge yourself to get better. I just love it.
Q. Who is your all-time favorite tennis player?
A. Steffi Graf, hands down. She was just so calm on the court, always under control. And you can't argue with 22 Grand Slam titles.
Q. Have you decided on college?
A. Not yet. My first two choices are Vanderbilt and the University of Delaware.
Q. Do you know what you want to study?
A. Astronomy.
Q. Like the stars?
A. I plan to go to med school, and I know they look for you to have good grades in a science major. I want to study something that would be fun before med school, and astronomy seems like a lot of fun.
Q. What kind of doctor?
A. Either pediatric surgeon or trauma surgeon.
Q. What's your favorite TV show?
A. Brothers and Sisters.
Q. Got a favorite food?
A. Definitely watermelon.
Q. What's it like playing for coach Mary Jewett?
A. It's great. She keeps the pressure on, but she makes it fun.
Q. How will the Cougars do Wednesday at Mercer County Park?
A. I think we're going to play our best tennis.
Three things about last week
1. It was a great scene Wednesday at Haddonfield as West Deptford came to town for girls' soccer under the lights. Big crowd, lots of atmosphere, good game.
2. Washington Township was a couple of points away from upsetting Cherry Hill East in the Group 4 final in girls' tennis. It was that close.
3. Eastern's victory over Emmaus (Pa.) in field hockey marked the second straight Saturday night that a team from South Jersey knocked off the No. 1 team in the nation. Rancocas Valley did it in boys' soccer over St. Benedict (N.J.) the previous week.
Three things about this week
1. Cherry Hill East, Moorestown, Haddonfield and Holy Spirit will chase girls' tennis titles Wednesday at Mercer County Park.
2. It's a big Friday in football, highlighted by Shawnee-Camden Catholic and West Deptford-Haddonfield.
3. The coaches' tournament in boys' and girls' soccer ratchets to another level this week with some terrific quarterfinal matchups.
Super Seven power rankings
1. Mainland football.
Seeing is believing: The best quarterback in South Jersey plus the best defense in South Jersey equals the best team in South Jersey.
2. Shawnee football. The Renegades get the chance to make a rebuttal this Friday at Camden Catholic.
3. Eastern field hockey. That schedule says everything about the Vikings.
4. Rancocas Valley boys' soccer. Still glowing from that victory over St. Benedict.
5. Haddonfield boys' cross-country. The Bulldogs didn't drop. Everybody else moved up.
6. Lenape girls' soccer. They're still talking about Natalia Torosian's 75-yard run and score against Washington Township.
7. Williamstown girls' volleyball. The state tournament pairings are out this week.
Under consideration: Camden Catholic football, Gloucester Catholic girls' soccer, Haddonfield girls' cross-country, Holy Spirit girls' tennis.