Ace! Boys Tennis Rallies Back to Postseason

After beating Francis Lewis in the first round, the Hornets fell to Stuyvesant in the second. Photo: Continental Studios

By ERIC SLAVIN

The boys varsity tennis team is back and better than ever. After two years off due to Covid-19, they returned to the playoffs this year, ending their run with a 3-2 loss in the second round against Stuyvesant High School on May 18.

The team started their regular season on March 9 with a win against New Utrecht High School, making a statement in the first game of the season.

Captain David Haimoff ‘22, who has a 9-8 record in singles games, was on the team his freshman and sophomore years. “This season is different from previous ones since our team has a much closer bond,” he said. “We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, which is why we are doing much better.”

The team finished third in the division with a 6-6 record. Photo: Continental Studios

Dylan Riman ‘23, who plays first doubles, was excited about the team’s journey to the playoffs. “We made it here because of chemistry,” he said. “It was amazing how well we communicated with each other and how we all performed our pregame rituals to get ourselves hyped up.” This season, Riman recorded one singles win and two doubles wins.

The team’s smart lineups have been a key to their success, junior Shannon Kogan said. Matthew Poryadin ‘23 lauded the team’s “engaging,” “friendly” atmosphere.

Junior Eiles Thornton, a first doubles player with a 5-5 regular season record, was new to the team this year. “I did not play tennis freshman year at all,” he said. “I had no interest. But over quarantine, it was an available sport, and I fell in love with it.”

Coach Victor Gjecaj sees room to grow next season. “I think we could have done better,” he said, “We had some stuff throwing us off, but that's nothing we can’t restore next season.”

“I loved working with this group of guys,” he said. “They’re respectful, hardworking, and overall great players.”