Boys Tennis Seniors Sign Off in Style

For their senior night match with CBA, the Niskayuna’s Boys Tennis team came out with a 6-3 win last Thursday. Seniors Bryan Zheng, David Henson, Nate Snider, and Vivek Lanka all secured victories, with many of their fellow peers coming out to support them, enthusiastically cheering them on from the sidelines. 

Expertly handling the pressure, Lanka (singles #2) sweeped his opponent with a 6-1, 6-1 win. Henson and Snider (doubles #2) followed in similar fashion, securing a 2-6, 6-4, and 6-3 victory. In the last match of the day, Zheng, playing doubles with sophomore Lance, played for almost 1 and a half hours, eventually coming out with a 2-6, 6-0, 7-5 win. They struggled through the first set losing 2-6, but came back strong for the last two sets, going 6-0 and 7-5, securing their win. 

All of the seniors poured their hearts out in what was a very passionate day for the whole team. Parents, students, and coaches admired every stroke, shouted after every point won, and leaped to their feet after every match was won for the seniors. The team win over CBA was the cherry on top. After all the matches were over, some seniors cried as others rejoiced with their family and friends. What was even better to see was the support of the school community, with many students watching with signs, banners, and photos of their favorite seniors.

When asked what they enjoyed the most this season, Lanka cited “competing against others and the winning aspect of the game…I play to win.” Zheng agreed by voicing his appreciation for the team’s victories. Each success motivated them to work harder for upcoming matches, setting a high standard for their team as they powered through the season. Henson, on the other hand, proudly complimented his teammates, saying “I most enjoyed seeing my teammates’ success. We had so many of our young players have super successful seasons, and it was awesome to watch them play.” In terms of their own future as tennis players, most seniors stated their desire to continue playing at the club and recreational level. 

The departing seniors also left valuable advice for the underclassmen players. Lanka urged them "to represent Niskayuna to the best of their abilities, and play every point as if it is their last,” saying how time flies fast and “they'll be seniors getting ready for college" before they know it. Henson added that team members should “keep finding the time to hit when you can” as they are “young” and have a lot of “potential.” Envisioning a bright future, Henson believes they’ll do “great things in the future”, and bring pride to their school. Wherever this year’s senior players go after high school, they will always carry their experience and pride for Niskayuna Boys Tennis.