Long Island High School Boys Tennis: Top Players to Watch in 2024-2025 Season
Long Island boasts a wealth of talented high school boys tennis players. As the 2024-2025 season approaches, several athletes stand out as top contenders. From seasoned seniors to promising underclassmen, these players are expected to make a notable impact on their teams and in individual competitions.
Suffolk County Standouts
Commack High School’s dynamic duo, Eric Benderly and Jeffrey Behar, are poised to continue their dominance after leading their team to the 2024 Suffolk large school title.Benderly, an All-Long island selection known for his doubles prowess, will look to replicate his county doubles title win, while Behar’s strategic play will be crucial for Commack’s success.
Brothers Ray and Kai Hidaka from Shoreham-Wading River offer a compelling storyline. After competing individually in last year’s Suffolk championships, their potential partnership this season could be a game-changer.
Half hollow Hills East boasts lohit Madisetty, a two-time All-Long Island second-team selection. This year he teams up with 8th grader Marcus Gonzales. Their combined talent promises a formidable force.
Ward melville’s Shashank Pennabadi, a three-time All-Long Island honoree and half of the state individual doubles championship team last year, joins forces with sophomore Aidan Thomas, known for his powerful shots and stamina, creating a formidable duo.
Representing the Ross School, Carlos Pena Lopez and Leonardo Carmo, the latter already an All-Long Island selection as an eighth-grader, form a strong doubles team. ignacio pena Lopez, also from Ross School, brings international experiance and a well-rounded game to the court.
Sam Lopez-Cardenas of Whitman, after a year of national tournaments, returns to high school tennis. His previous success, including a fifth-place finish in the Suffolk individual championships, makes him a player to watch.
Nassau County’s Best
Will Bohner from Friends Academy aims for a strong season after an injury-hampered 2024. His talent is undeniable, as evidenced by his role in friends Academy’s Long island Division II championship win and his quarterfinal appearance in the Nassau individual championships.
Manhasset’s Max Golubenko,a 2024 all-long Island second-team pick,is back with more experience and skill. His strong performance in last year’s Nassau singles tournament,including a third-place finish and a state tournament appearance,highlights his potential.
Patrick Kana from Oceanside looks to build on a prosperous sophomore season where he played first singles and achieved an overall record of 9-4. His progress in the Nassau individual championships underscores his growing talent.
Jericho High School features Anish Pylla, a 2024 All-Long Island second-team selection, partnering with freshman Preston Wang.
catholic league Contender
luke Hynes of Chaminade steps up after playing No. 2 singles last year. Following a runner-up finish in the Catholic individual singles championships, he’s ready to lead the defending NSCHSAA champions.
With a blend of returning stars and emerging talent, the 2024-2025 Long Island high school boys tennis season promises exciting competition and thrilling matches.
Long Island High School Tennis: Top Players to Watch in 2024-2025 season
long Island’s high school tennis scene is brimming with talent. As the 2024-2025 season approaches, several outstanding players are poised to make a significant impact. From seasoned seniors to rising juniors, these athletes have demonstrated extraordinary skills and determination, making them top contenders in both singles and doubles competitions.
Syosset’s Dynamic Duo: Nikhil Shah and Devan Melandro
Nikhil shah, a senior, and devan Melandro, a junior, are two-time All-Long Island selections. The pair are coming off a stellar season, having led Syosset to its second state team championship. Their crowning achievement was winning the doubles title at the Nassau County Individual Championships, marking them as a formidable force in high school tennis.
Singles Standouts Ready to Dominate
Several singles players are also ones to watch this season:
- Ethan Solop, Roslyn (Sr.): A 2023 All-Long island second-team selection, Solop excelled as a junior. He helped Roslyn reach the Nassau Division I final,finished second in the county individual singles tournament,and placed fifth in the state tournament.
- Ishaanth Reddy Gurudu, Smithtown West (Jr.): gurudu is anticipated to have a breakthrough season after going 14-2 in singles in 2024.He secured the Suffolk League I singles title and reached the singles quarterfinals at the county individual championship tournament.
- Xander Wang, Jericho (Jr.): Wang is set to lead Jericho’s singles lineup after a strong performance last year. He played on a doubles team that finished third in the Nassau County Individual Championships and advanced to the round of 16 in the state tournament. Last season, Wang held an 11-2 record in singles and doubles.
- Cooper Shor, Lynbrook (Sr.): Shor, Lynbrook’s No. 1 singles player, returns after reaching the quarterfinals at last year’s Nassau individual championships, showcasing his potential for a deep run this season.
- Leonardo Villacreses, sachem (Jr.): villacreses will once again lead Sachem’s singles lineup.A singles quarterfinalist in the Suffolk individual championships, he aims to capitalize on improved pace and decision-making this year.
- Giancarlo Volpe, Westhampton (Sr.): Volpe, known for his doubles prowess, has been a part of two high-rising doubles teams for the Hurricanes. His experience and skill make him a player to watch.
The Surbeck Brothers: A Doubles Threat
Nolan Surbeck (Sr.) and Brody Surbeck (Jr.) of Harborfields, The surbeck brothers are expected to contend for the Suffolk Division I team title. Last year, they reached the quarterfinals at the individual doubles tournament.
Long Island High School Boys Tennis: Players to Watch in 2024
Long Island’s high school boys tennis season is set to be thrilling, with a mix of returning stars and promising newcomers ready to make their mark. Here’s a look at some of the top players expected to lead their teams and compete for individual honors this year.
Top Returning Players
- Leo Kulesa (Sr.), Commack: Kulesa, an All-Long Island first-team selection in 2023 and second team in 2024, will look to continue his strong performance. He may team up with junior Bryce Groth in doubles this season.
- Tommy Walsh (Jr.) and Sam Stein (Sr.), Half Hollow Hills East: This doubles team reached the quarterfinals of the county individual championships last year, showcasing Stein’s powerful serve and Walsh’s net play. They are key contributors to a deep Half Hollow Hills East roster.
freshman Phenom
- Benjamin Wiese, Garden City: The younger brother of the 2023 state singles champion Nina, Wiese stands 6-4 and is a talented left-hander with a powerful serve.
Q: Beyond Syosset, which Nassau County teams are expected to be strong contenders for the team championship?
Long island High School Boys’ Tennis: Q&A for the 2024-2025 Season
Here’s a breakdown of the top players and key storylines for the upcoming Long Island high school boys’ tennis season, answered in a Q&A format:
Suffolk County: Key Players and Partnerships
- Q: Who are the top doubles teams to watch in suffolk County?
- A: Keep an eye on Commack’s duo, Eric Benderly and Jeffrey Behar, aiming to repeat their county title win. Also, the potential partnership of brothers Ray and kai Hidaka from Shoreham-Wading River could be a game-changer. Additionally, Ward Melville’s Shashank Pennabadi and Aidan Thomas, and the Ross school’s Carlos Pena Lopez and leonardo Carmo, along with Ignacio Pena Lopez, are strong contenders.
- Q: Which singles players are expected to make a notable impact in Suffolk?
- A: Lohit Madisetty from Half Hollow Hills East,partnered with Marcus Gonzales,promises a formidable force. Sam Lopez-Cardenas of Whitman,returning after national tournaments,is also a player to watch.
- Q: What’s the buzz around the Ross School players?
- A: Carlos Pena Lopez and Leonardo Carmo, the latter already an All-long Island selection as an eighth-grader, form a strong doubles team. Ignacio Pena Lopez brings international experience.
Nassau County: Standout Athletes
- Q: Which Nassau County players are coming back strong after injuries or previous successes?
- A: Will Bohner from Friends Academy, aiming for a strong season after an injury-hampered 2024, and Max Golubenko from Manhasset, with his strong performance in last year’s Nassau singles tournament, is back with more experience and skill.
- Q: Who are the rising stars in Nassau?
- A: Patrick Kana from Oceanside, looking to build on a prosperous sophomore season. additionally, Anish Pylla of Jericho high School, partnering with freshman Preston Wang, is expected to make waves.
Catholic League and Beyond
- Q: who is the player to watch in the Catholic League?
- A: Luke Hynes of Chaminade is stepping up after playing no. 2 singles last year. Following a runner-up finish in the Catholic individual singles championships, he’s ready to lead the defending NSCHSAA champions.
Syosset: The Dynamic Duo
- Q: Who are considered the top doubles team?
- A: Nikhil Shah and Devan Melandro, both two-time All-Long Island selections, are coming off a stellar season that included leading Syosset to its second state team championship and winning the doubles title at the Nassau County Individual Championships.
Singles Standouts
- Q: Who are the top singles players to watch?
- A: Ethan Solop (Roslyn), Ishaanth Reddy Gurudu (Smithtown West), Xander Wang (Jericho), Cooper Shor (Lynbrook), Leonardo Villacreses (Sachem), and Giancarlo Volpe (Westhampton) are all top contenders this season.
The Surbeck Brothers
- Q: Who are the Surbeck Brothers?
- A: Nolan Surbeck (Sr.) and Brody Surbeck (Jr.) of Harborfields are expected to contend for the Suffolk Division I team title. last year, they reached the quarterfinals at the individual doubles tournament.
Additional Players
- Q: Are there any other players to watch?
- A: Leo Kulesa from Commack (All-Long Island), partnering with Bryce Groth in doubles, and the doubles team of Tommy Walsh and Sam Stein from Half Hollow Hills East are expected to perform well. Also, Benjamin Wiese, the younger brother of 2023 state singles champion Nina, is a freshman phenom at Garden City.
The 2024-2025 Long Island high school boys’ tennis season promises exciting competition. Keep an eye on these players and teams as the season unfolds!
