Syosset Repeats as Long Island Division I Champions
After a loss to conference rivals Roslyn, the Syosset Braves found themselves with a record of 4-2. It was an unfamiliar position for a program so used to winning, and with two early season defeats, the team’s seniors decided to say something.
“After those two losses, no one wanted to lose again,” said senior co-captain Spencer Keschner. “The bus ride home after that loss was silent, and I could see the fire in everyone, and I felt confident in my team. No one wanted to lose again.”
And so far, they have not.
Inspired by the messaging from Keschner and fellow senior Ryan Jiang during that early part of the season, the Braves have not lost since. On Monday afternoon at Smithtown East High School, its winning streak continued as it defeated Commack 6-1 to repeat as the Long Island Division I Champions.
“Those early losses in the beginning of the year definitely motivated everyone to recommit, buy into that team mentality. It didn’t matter who your partner is or what position in the lineup,” said Syosset head coach Shai Fisher. “They have a strong mentality going into every match, especially as the pressure builds, they lock in more, and are more committed at practice. Commack is an awesome team, they battled today, but we were able to come out on top and it means a lot to these guys.”
Syosset jumped out to the early lead on Monday thanks to the third doubles pairing of Veyd Trivedi & Grayson Prince who notched a 6-0, 6-0 victory to get things started for their team. Soon after, Commack evened things up as Eric Benderly was a 6-0, 6-3 winner at first singles.
But Syosset regained the lead as Svid Chadha & Ansh Jolly delivered a 6-0, 6-3 win on the fourth doubles court. Devan Melandro brought the Braves within one victory of clinching the Long Island title as he wrapped up his 6-3, 6-2 win at second singles.
Needing one court to seal the championship, Aayan Mehta stepped up. After winning the first set, Mehta was serving for the match at 5-3, but was quickly broken. Mehta didn’t flinch, though, and proceeded to break back immediately to seal his third singles victory, and clinch Syosset’s second consecutive Long Island Championship.
“I had to just throw that game away, put it in the past and focus. It was still 5-4, and I just had to win one point at a time,” Mehta said of closing out that second set. “Our team did a great job today, and being able to clinch it for us feels great. I think everyone has been building their confidence, and we’re excited to try to run it back at States.”
Mehta actually began the year in the doubles lineup and had played doubles his first two years on the varsity team, but transitioned into the singles lineup during the middle of the season, and his coach has seen the growth in his game as the season has progressed.
“For Aayan, it was a matter of proving it to himself that he could play a top singles position,” said Fisher. “He knows he’s good, and it’s just a matter of having that confidence. When we do our singles tryouts in the beginning of the season, you have to go up against some pretty good competition on our team. It didn’t go perfectly for him but he’s turned it around and has been rolling ever since. The confidence he shows on court, he’s a clutch player and you saw that today. We have several guys like that on the team that when the pressure is on, they play better, and Aayan is certainly one of them.”
Keschner & Jacob Prince won 6-3, 5-7, 12-10 at first doubles, and Terrence Moy & Ryan Jiang were 6-7(6), 6-2, 10-4 winners at second doubles to round out the 6-1 victory for Syosset.
Syosset now prepares for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Team Championships on Friday, June 7 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The Braves will play Section V’s Pittsford Sutherland in the semifinals.
