Montclair High School Boys Tennis Season Ends with Thud, Coach Says Goodbye

Montclair High School boys tennis team hit some ‘bad luck’ as well as were missing some players to start the 2025 state tournament.

The result was the third-seeded Mounties fell to sixth-seeded West Orange, 3-2, in the North 1 Group 4 quarterfinals. It appeared that the Mountaineers were looking for some revenge after Montclair shutout West Orange, 5-0, in the 2024 North 1 Group 4 quarterfinals.

“The difference in the loss to West Orange was the loss of Alfred (Lonntorp, second singles) to injury and another player not being available and just some bad luck,” said Montclair head coach Guy Rabner.

Rabner’s coaching resume dates back to the 1990s. He hung up his coaching reins with the conclusion of the spring season. Rabner had coached several seasons in Livingston including the Livingston High School tennis teams before coming to Montclair in 2018. He started coaching the girls tennis team in the fall of 2018 and the boys team in the spring of 2019.

He said that he pondered extensively about hanging up the duties, but he realizes this is for the best.

Rabner Will Miss Kids, Competition

“Yeah, it’s dawned on me and I’ve thought about it a lot,” said Rabner. “Missing the kids and the competition are my favorite aspects of coaching. I’ll be sad but will definitely be missing it but I feel ready to move on. It’s been an honor to coach these kids all of these years. Definitely going to miss them, especially this year.”

It was a young, inexperienced season for Montclair that finished with a 7-9 record. The Mounties did reach the Essex County Tournament semifinals before losing to the eventual winner, Newark Academy.

Sophomore Jack Levine led the way as the Montclair first singles garnered All Super Essex Conference American Division first team honoree. Levine finished with a 5-11 record, but was going up against some of the top players in state.

“Jack was a workhorse and had the difficult task of needing to play every school’s best player, which was daunting but he competed very well against some of the better players in NJ,” said Rabner about Levine. “He improved exponentially, and these experiences will make him even better next year.”

Lonntorp Placed on All American 2nd Team

Lonntorp, a sophomore, finished 7-5 and named to the All SEC American second team. His absence in the lineup hurt the Mounties at the end of the season.

“Alfred, before he got hurt, really improved his game and also got more mentally tough,” said Rabner. “He beat a player that made 1st team all-conference and became a great competitor.”

Along with Lonntorp, sophomore Oliver Miedel was placed on the All SEC American second team. He was the Montclair third singles player and filled in at second singles at the end of the season. Miedel was 5-4 at third singles, but dropped all three matches at second singles.

“Oliver also improved mightily,” said Rabner. “He’s nowhere as tall as Alfred (Lonntorp) but was an effective counterpuncher and frustrated many opponents this season.”

Olmos, Lilienfeld, SEC American honors

Both sophomore Javier Garcia Olmos and junior Jasper Lilienfeld were part of the All-SEC American honorable mention list. Lilienfeld was the leader of the 2025 Mounties.

“Jasper really improved his overall tennis game and earned the fourth singles position which gave him opportunities to play both doubles and Singles,” said Rabner. “He was also our captain and a great kid and leader.” 

Lilienfeld had his best success in first doubles with junior Henry Kolbe where they were 4-4. At third singles, Lilienfeld’s record ended at 2-4.

Olmos competed in first and second doubles along with third singles where he won his only match. Olmos was 3-1 between first and second doubles with sophomore Jack Gofton.

With most of the roster returning, Montclair will help the new head coach come next April.

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