Delbarton tennis has once again proven why it’s the gold standard in Morris County, capturing its 23rd Morris County Tournament title in the last 24 years. The Green Wave’s dominance on the court is nothing short of legendary, and this year’s victory on May 2 added another chapter to an already storied program.

For sophomore Hayden Lee, it was his first taste of MCT action, but he already understood the weight of the tradition. Two banners hanging near the entrance of Delbarton’s new home court tell the story—one listing 29 MCT titles, the other celebrating NJSIAA sectional crowns. “I wanted to be part of a team that takes it seriously,” said Lee, who transferred from Summit after his freshman year and is now an impressive 20-0 on the season. Playing alongside doubles partner Hugh Weldon, the duo extended their own unbeaten streak, helping Delbarton clinch the team title.

The tournament came down to the wire, with Delbarton and Chatham tied at 15 points heading into the semifinals and finals. The Cougars had players in all five finals, but the Green Wave answered with a clean sweep of every match they played. It was a familiar result—Delbarton had already beaten Chatham 4-1 in the regular-season opener back in March.

Even in matches Delbarton didn’t win, the Green Wave’s influence was felt. Mendham junior Kabir Kaushal outlasted Chatham’s Davis Zhang in a dramatic final that saw Kaushal go through four rackets. After breaking a string in the first set and snapping another in the second, he borrowed a teammate’s racket—only to break that one too. For the decisive tiebreaker, Kaushal used a racket belonging to Mendham assistant coach Jack Gibbons’ son—a Delbarton alumnus who had won the MCT third singles title in 2023. It was a full-circle moment that highlighted the deep connections in local tennis.

For Kaushal, the win was especially meaningful after stepping away from the game last spring due to burnout. His return to form this season is a reminder that resilience is just as important as raw talent. And for Delbarton, the message is clear: in Morris County, the Green Wave are still the team to beat.