Syosset boys team tennis streak comes to an end in state final

Nathan Appleman served for Scarsdale. The return was long by Syosset. Fourth doubles was over. And so was a sensational streak.

Syosset arrived Friday at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens with three straight state Division I boys tennis team titles for large schools. Coach Shai Fisher’s dynasty program won its morning state semifinal outdoors but fell indoors in the afternoon final 4-3.

“I have to thank all the kids in the program,” Fisher said. “They do a tremendous job, committed year round. We went up against an amazing Scarsdale team. It’s so hard just to get to this point, so I’m super proud of all the guys.”

After Syosset (18-3) beat Bethlehem 6-1 in the semis, its top three doubles teams — Jacob Prince and Nikhil Shah, Anik Paul and Loui Peredo and Terrence Moy and Ryan Nawaz — won in the final. But Appleman and Emmett Klingsberg were the sophomore partners who clinched it for Scarsdale.

“It was just so good to do it for our seniors,” Appleman said, referencing Scarsdale's 2023 championship loss to Syosset.

“I’m just glad I got to finally beat the dynasty,” Klingsberg said.

The dynasty is losing six seniors.

“It’s just an amazing run these guys have put together,” Fisher said.

Bayport-Blue Point also falls in final

Bayport-Blue Point was on a 17-0 run, including its first Long Island championship, heading into the state Division II final for small schools. But senior No. 1 singles player Luke Jensen suffered a burst appendix Thursday.

“Luke is more than just a player,” coach John Selvaggio said. “He’s a leader. He’s a role model. The kids look up to him.

“So not having him here was tough. But at the same time, I think we all learned a lot from this experience.”

They lost 3-0 to Byram Hills for the championship. The remaining two matches didn’t require completion.

The team trailed 1-0 basically before the semis and the finals began, forfeiting at Jensen’s spot.

The Phantoms still defeated Jamesville-DeWitt 3-1 in the semis behind victories by Eric Swinkin in first singles, Aidan Apicella and Nick Bynam in first doubles and Dominic Linzie and Declan Schug in second doubles.

“I really thought we were going to win stepping into it no matter what, whether it was delusional or actual belief,” Linzie said. “I think overall the season was really fun. But to see it come to a close is definitely sad.”