Syosset Wins Long Island Division I Championship To Move Closer To Third Straight New York State Title

The goal entering the season for Syosset was to win another New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Championship, which would mark three straight State titles for the Braves. 

On Friday at Wheatley High School, it moved one step closer to achieving that goal as Syosset defeated Hills East 7-0 to capture the Long Island Division I Championship, and advance to the State semifinals. 

“The goal is the State Championship,” said Syosset’s Aayan Mehta. “That’s been on our mind since the beginning of the season. We’re really close to it now and just gotta close it out.”

Mehta delivered a 6-1, 6-3 victory at third singles for the Braves on Friday, as his singles teammates also won their matches in straight sets, with Devan Melandro winning 6-3, 6-1 at first singles, and Nikhil Shah posting a 6-2, 6-4 victory in the second spot.

Syosset’s depth proved to be invaluable once again as the Braves took all four doubles flights in straight sets. At first doubles, Jacob Prince & Aidan Maddux won 6-3, 6-3; Veyd Trivedi & Shiv Chadha were 6-2, 6-1 winners at second doubles; Grayson Prince & Loui Peredo won 6-1, 6-0 on the third doubles court, and Anik Paul & Leon Zhao rounded out the scoring with a 6-1, 6-0 triumph at fourth doubles. 

“It’s our depth,” Mehta added about what makes Syosset so successful. “The amount of talent we are able to bring in each year. We always have young players coming in and contributing.”

This Braves program has established a culture that both the veteran players and underclassmen are aware of, which is a major reason for its sustained success.

“We have great camaraderie on this team,” said Shah. “Each day at practice, everyone is locked in and on the same page. We have friendships on and off the court, and it keeps us close.”

Syosset head coach Shai Fisher added: 

“I really give all the credit to the boys and their parents, and the community, I am just along for the ride. They are the ones who put in hours and hours of hard work and really buy into the program.”

The Braves now turn its attention onto the State tournament, and the possibility of a third straight title.

“We’re going to enjoy this [Long Island Championship] one, rest up, and then refocus for the semifinals against Horace Greeley,” Fisher said. “They are a really tough team, just like Hills East is, but we’ll be ready.”

The NYSPHSAA Championships are set for Friday, June 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens.

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