Rebuilt Hewlett nets nine wins

Despite graduating 75 percent of last year’s starting lineup and losing one of its singles players to an early season injury, Hewlett’s boys’ tennis team compiled a 9-3 record in Conference I-B and qualified for the playoffs.

“We always view the playoffs as a goal, but this year it was a tough goal to reach considering how many starters we lost,” Bulldogs coach Ron Remick said. “I knew some other teams lost top players, but I still didn’t know what to expect. The kids did a great job.”

All three of Hewlett’s singles players made big jumps from 2012. Sophomore Brandon Remer rose to No. 1 from No. 3, junior Ankur Kejriwal went from an alternate to No. 2, and junior Josh Stein made the transition from third doubles to third singles. Remer and Stein went undefeated, going 12-0 and 9-0, respectively, while Kejriwal held his own with a .500 mark.

The coach said Remer improved his consistency, serve and mental game, and also benefited from offseason tournaments. “It’s a big jump from third to first singles,” Remick said. “Brandon worked really hard and improved his game. He’s extremely accurate, and he can hit with power.” The highlight of Remer’s perfect season was a three-set marathon victory April 29 over Plainview’s Josh Young that gave Hewlett a 4-3 win. “That match lasted about two-and-a-half hours,” Remick noted.

Stein, who played third doubles for two seasons, was originally slotted for first or second doubles before a broken ankle suffered by sophomore Daniel Kryzhapolsky created an opening at third singles. Stein earned the spot and had an “unbelievable” season, Remick said. He won the deciding match when the Bulldogs handed conference champion Friends Academy its lone regular-season defeat, 4-3, on April 24 in windy conditions. “Josh had to change his entire mindset and game,” Remick said. “He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes and gets to every ball.”

Kejriwal also covers a lot of court, the coach said, and has always been a solid singles player. He won six of 12 matches after rising six spots in the lineup. “He’s aggressive and hits with power,” Remick said.

Hewlett enjoyed success in doubles, especially in the fourth position with senior Charlie Edman and junior Sam Krevans winning 10 and nine matches, respectively. “They were pretty clutch in pressure situations,” Remick said. Juniors Matthew Bickoff and Christopher Kramer, who worked together at the JV level last spring, showed they belonged on the varsity courts and went 8-4 at third doubles. Senior newcomer Ryan Bayacoub and sophomore David Zuckerman picked up six wins at second doubles, and senior Anthony Jourdan and junior Caleb Nisenson comprised the No. 1 tandem.

“It’s exciting to know we’ll have most of the team back next year,” Remick said.