Hewlett nets conference title

Hewlett boys’ tennis coach Abby Samlin need not wait for a ruling.

The second-year skipper’s stated mission this spring was “to bring tennis back to Hewlett in a big way,” and after cutting a 12-0 swath, as of early May, through Nassau Conference II-B competition, it’s unarguable the Bulldogs’ venture has proceeded perfectly on target.

Yet, even with its fifth shutout victory of the season, 7-0, on May 3 against visiting Valley Stream Central, and a 6-1 playoff- and conference-title clinching home win over South Side the following day, Hewlett is not resting easy, its coach assured, as a grander purpose remains.

“The boys have been working towards finishing undefeated and bringing Hewlett up to the next level,” Samlin said. “Because if we win our conference this year, we’re going to be moving up to the top conference next year. So there’s commitment and desire to get Hewlett back up where we belong.”

Sophomore Dylan Paul has been a key exponent of Hewlett’s push for promotion, performing peerlessly at number one singles. Having played last season — as a freshman on varsity — in a style his coach labeled “tentative,” Paul this year has revamped his game to the tune of a 12-0 record.

“Even though he won last year, some people pushed him around,” Samlin said of Paul. “Nobody pushes Dylan around this year. He controls the court. He worked hard over the winter and improved his game a hundred percent.”  

At No. 2 singles, sophomore Jared Lake has been comparably dominant at 10-2 (one loss by default.) “Jared is another hard-worker and he’s a great team leader,” Samlin said. “He eats, breathes and sleeps tennis. He does everything a coach could ask and more.”

Appearing in various pairings throughout the season, the Bulldogs’ doubles teams have settled into stable combinations. Senior Nathaniel Eisenberg and junior Paul Ledon jelled early as Hewlett’s first doubles tandem to streak to 11-1, and, according to Samlin, “are getting better each match, getting stronger.”

Seniors Isaac Bakis and Daniel Mizrahi – each 10-2 in doubles play – form Hewlett’s second doubles unit, representing two of only three senior starters. “They’re learning to be a really competitive doubles team.” Samlin said of the No. 2 duo.

A most interesting development has been the late emergence of junior Zachary Bernstein and freshman Logan Fliegel as Hewlett’s fourth doubles pair. “[Bernstein and Fliegel] have been a big asset,” Samlin said.  “They have been a big surprise, going undefeated together; a ninth- and eleventh-grader working very well together.”

With the start of playoffs less than a week away, Samlin stressed the Bulldogs expect a strength-of-schedule ramp-up, but reckoned that Hewlett could ride its regular-season roll a fair distance into the postseason.

Said Samlin: “I’m excited to make the playoffs and I think we can go a couple of rounds.  Even though the competition is going to be hard, I’m very optimistic.  We’re going to work hard and give whoever we play a run for their money.”