Syosset Wins Fourth Straight LI Large School (Division 1) Title, Advances To New York State Championships
For the fourth straight year, the title of Long Island Large School (Division 1) Champions belongs to the boys from Syosset.
The Braves defeated Harborfields 6-1 at Smithtown East High School on Friday afternoon, and advanced to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Team Championships next Friday, June 12 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Syosset is the three-time defending State champion.
“It was really important,” senior co-captain Aayan Mehta said of coming out and setting the tone early in the Long Island Championship. “I think every playoff match, and the Nassau and Long Island finals have been preparation for what we are really striving for, which is the State championship. It’s important we stay locked in during these matches.”
Mehta delivered a 6-2, 6-2 victory at second singles which clinched the title for Syosset.
“In his whole career, the running joke on the team has been that the more pressure is on Aayan, the more he comes through,” said Syosset head coach Shai Fisher. “In these big matches, whether it’s a county final, Long Island final or a State final, he has a tendency to be the clincher for us. He’s clinched on these courts before, two years ago against Commack, he’s clinched at the USTA National Tennis Center in the States. When he knows he needs to step up, he plays so much better. When the stakes are raised, he puts more pressure on himself and he thrives in that situation, and his teammates know it.”
Mehta’s clinching victory came soon after Leon Zhao & Daniel Kim were 6-0, 6-2 winners at fourth doubles, and Loui Peredo & Anik Paul were 6-0, 6-0 winners at second doubles.
Syosset’s first win on Friday came from Nikhil Shah & Jacob Prince, who posted a 6-0, 6-0 win at first doubles.
“I think we did a good job of sticking to our strengths,” Shah said. “Our games complement each other so well, and we have such great team chemistry.”
Prince added:
“It was great to set the tone for our team today. We started the season playing together, and Niki played singles for a little bit in the middle of the season, but we’re back together now and we are having a lot of fun.”
At third doubles, Ryan Nawaz & Terrence Moy won 6-3, 6-2, while Grayson Prince won 6-3, 6-3 at first singles to round out the scoring for Syosset.
Caiden Veitch won 6-4, 6-1 at third singles for Harborfields.
Syosset now prepares for next week’s State tournament and its pursuit of a fourth consecutive title. It will play Section 1 champion Scarsdale in the semifinals.
“They know what’s at stake,” Fisher said. “Especially with seven seniors, they know that if they want to go out this way, this is their chance. They want to go out on top, and they will set the tone for everyone.”
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