Nassau County High School Player Spotlight: Nyla Gershfeld, Hewlett
Back in 2018, Nyla Gershfeld made her varsity girls’ tennis debut and helped lead her Hewlett Bulldogs to a runner-up finish in the Nassau County Championships. Fast-forward five years, and Gershfeld now prepares for her final season competing in high school varsity tennis, as the senior hopes to take the next step and lead her team to the county title this fall. As she gets ready to do so, Gershfeld is excited to have one more season representing Hewlett and competing with her teammates.
“I think I’m more excited for this season than any other besides my first one in seventh grade, and I have a lot less nerves this time around,” said Gershfeld. “I’m friends with everyone on our team and friends with girls from other teams on Long Island as well, so I couldn’t be more excited to have one more season playing high school tennis.”
Individually, Gershfeld has already had a storied high school career. Back in 2019, Gershfeld teamed with Rachel Arbitman to win the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Individual Doubles Championship, and has finished as an all-state singles player four different times in her career.
Last season, she finished fourth in the individual county championships and narrowly missed qualifying for the state championships. That will serve as motivation for her as she enters her senior campaign.
“Getting to states and doing well there is definitely one of my main goals this season,” she said. “I was able to do that in doubles before and it was amazing, so I would love to be able to do that in singles.”
For any advice on what it will require to take the next step in her game and win a county title or even a state title, she doesn’t have to look any farther than in her own house. Her older brother, Stephan, is a three-time Nassau County Boys’ Singles Champion and won the NYSPHSAA Singles title in 2022. The two have always been close but have become even closer as they’ve gotten older, and have always relied on one another for support.
“We’re only one year apart so he’s one of my best friends. We’ve always practiced together, gone to tournaments together, and it was great to always have someone to hit with,” said Gershfeld. “I’ve gone to him for advice on my tennis, and vice versa. It’s definitely something that I’ve used to my benefit because I know all the pressure he has been under playing in big tournaments, so it’s nice to be able to talk to someone who understands what I’m going through.”
Before Nyla gets the chance to compete in the individual tournaments, she will be tasked with leading the Hewlett Bulldogs this season as they move up to Nassau County’s Conference I, the top conference.
Gershfeld will serve not only as a leader on court with her play at first singles, but will try to use her vast high school tennis experience to help guide her teammates.
“Nyla will be expected to set the tone for the team this season, on and off the court. First singles in Conference I is always tough, and it’ll be crucial for the team to have someone up there that can win matches for us,” said Hewlett head coach Brett Verini. “As a senior leader with such experience, she’ll be an important resource for some of the younger girls on the team to turn to. We’re all expecting big things from Nyla this season, but I think most importantly she expects it of herself.”
Joining Gershfeld in the singles lineup will be Sahara Ahmad and Tiffany Lin, and together the three create a formidable top of the lineup for the Bulldogs.
“We have high expectations for this season,” she added. “We have some talented young players, and a lot of depth at doubles. I believe we can compete with the best teams in our conference.”
While Gershfeld’s tennis career has been a major part of her life, it isn’t everything. She is a well-rounded person who loves to travel and learn new languages. She wants to go into the dentistry field and become an oral surgeon, and has spent time interning at local dental offices and hospitals in order to gain more experience, in addition to being a Senior PR Event Intern with Long Island Tennis Magazine.
She has a tireless work ethic and has kept herself busy, but has struck a balance between all the obligations she juggles, from her tennis to her social life, and her academic and extracurricular commitments, which has properly prepared her before she heads to college next fall.
But before that, Gershfeld is excited for the next couple of months of high school tennis, and spending one more season competing with her teammates.
“Bonding with my teammates, and spending those long bus rides together, it’s those things that make high school tennis so special and something I’m looking forward to this fall.”
