Kennedy nets conference title

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Kennedy boys’ tennis cruised into the playoffs this week after a dominant regular season, having lost just one of its 13 best-of-seven matches en route to a Conference 2B championship.

In their 12 victories, their biggest competition came against second-place Massapequa, which Kennedy beat twice, 5-2. Besides that, Kennedy won six games or more in its other victories. Their only loss came to South Side late last month, 4-3, when a handful of Kennedy’s players were away on a band trip.

Kennedy avenged that loss in its season finale on Monday, sweeping South Side 7-0.

Coach Ari Bisk said his team is spoiled by a wealth of talent – some 30 kids make up the entire team, though just 11 participate in varsity matches per contest. A good portion of the team are three-sport athletes. “We are very athletic,” said Bisk. “We’ve got guys coming off soccer field, the basketball court, the volleyball court.”

For the most part, the squad has maintained a stable lineup all season long for its three singles spots and four doubles teams. Six of the 11 starters are four-year seniors. “We were good last year, and returned a lot this year,” Bisk said. “Our experience definitely plays a role in our success this year.”

Matthew Terlovsky leads the charge at first singles, and has won eight of his 10 matches against each respective school’s top-ranked player. The four-year starter and two-time All-Conference player excels in all aspects of the game, said his coach. “Strong serve, excellent ground strokes, very strong forehand,” said Bisk. “He moves his opponent and hits the corner of the court. He’s a complete tennis player.”

At second singles, senior Ian Kranis made the jump from first doubles a year ago and has more than held his own, winning eight of 13 matches. “He always has a good game plan,” his coach said. “He’ll try to get to the net and finish points there. He’s a real competitor and plays smart.“

Brett Schutzman, the only regular singles player who is not a senior, has been dominant with an 11-1 record. The sophomore is one of the most improved players on the team year-to-year, said Bisk.

But it’s on doubles where Kennedy has racked up the wins. Of their four regular pairings, they’ve dropped just three games all season in 52 overall matches.  

First doubles Dylan Krauss and Jake Levine are undefeated. It’s their combined skill set, Bisk said, that makes them so tough – Krauss, a senior, has a strong serve and is athletic at the net. Levine, a junior, has a good passing shot from the back. 

On second singles, Josh Kaplan and Matthew Kaufman, both seniors, have parlayed their strong defensive skills to 12-1 record. Third doubles Evan Isaac and David Kantor have lost only two games this season, and on fourth doubles, a mix of Hugh Cheung, Alan Fridburg and Justin Unterberg, have yet to lose.

Also earning varsity wins this season are Jacob Kamler, Jack Gewurz, Brett Klein, Andrew Celauro and Brett Stybel.

After finishing second in their conference and losing in the first round of the playoffs a year ago, Bisk said a potentially easier first-round draw this postseason, which began Wednesday after presstime, will hopefully translate to a deeper playoff run.