West Hempstead nets winning season

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West Hempstead boys’ tennis faced a unique challenge as the school undergoes a renovation of its athletic facilities, including the installation of new turf fields and tennis courts – every game this spring took place on the road.

Lacking its own home courts during the remodeling, the team also had to make due practicing on two indoor courts at Hempstead Lake Indoor tennis – rotating players in and out to ensure everyone received adequate training.

But the team took the scheduling quirk in stride – despite spending more time in a bus than any other squad in the county, they finished the season with a winning record at 8-6, good for third place in Conference 4.

“The kids were really good with it,” coach Michael Hovanec said. “It was a little challenging, but the kids stayed motivated.”

The season was defined by elite play from first singles player Theodore Kim, and a handful of competitive matches that were often decided by the finals doubles match. One of those close matches included pushing undefeated Sewanhaka – the eventual conference champ – to the brink, falling just short in a 4-3 loss on May 1.

But what heartened Hovanec most was the improvement his players showed throughout the season – especially considering the team comprised six athletes who were not only new to the squad, but new to the game of tennis. A lot of early practices focused on teaching the basics of the game and its complex scoring rules, and the coach lauded the leadership of his elder and more experienced players in helping him teach the newcomers.

“It was just great to see the improvement throughout the season,” Hovanec said. “The experienced players being able to hit the ball harder from the forehand and backhand side and taking chances. Early on they were hitting it long, late in the season were hitting winners.”

The newer players, too, developed their game as the season wore on. “They were playing timid and shy at first, but later on hitting with more confidence,” Hovanec said. “It was good to see the guys working hard.”

Kim, showing consistency in both his forehand and background, played a more aggressive style this season by coming to the net more frequently to finish points, his coach said. The senior finished the year 13-1.

Sophomore Dan Martinez was a breakout star in his first year with the team, finishing 8-5 on second singles. “His forehand became very good and his serve became a weapon,” Hovanec said. “He’s very quick on the court.”

And though Mark Liebel and Anil Joy finished 5-7 on first doubles, Hovanec praised the seniors – who were paired together for the third straight year – for their veteran leadership. “They’re hard workers,” the coach said. “They helped out the other doubles in practice.”

Faced with a steep learning curve and an exclusive road schedule, and with the potential of as many as eight players returning next year, Kim included, to play on brand new tennis courts, Hovanec expressed excitement with the direction West Hempstead tennis is heading.

“Overall the season went well,” he said. “We hope to continue to build the program and get more interest. Especially with the new courts.”