Syosset boys tennis wins state large school championship
Syosset teammates mob Aayan Mehta after his win in third singles clinched victory over Bethlehem in the NYSPHSAA Division I boys tennis team championship against Byram Hills at the Billie Jean King USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing on Friday. Credit: James Escher
The wait for the celebration wasn’t a long one. The time from team introductions to Syosset’s coronation was about a total of one hour, ending with junior Aayan Mehta finishing off a straight sets victory at third singles and then being mobbed on the court by his teammates.
The measure of dynasties varies from sport to sport and on what level the competition is. In high school, three years is practically a generation so the label might be appropriate for the Syosset boys tennis program.
Mehata’s victory capped a 4-0 victory over Section II champion Bethlehem in the state large school team championship on Friday afternoon at the USTA National Tennis Center. Syosset (21-1) wears the state crown for a third straight season.
The large school competitions are best-of-7 matches. When Mehta’s victory was sealed, Syosset had the required four wins and the other three in progress did not continue.
“It's a testament to the kids that year after year, they're still working hard and know the importance of winning,” Syosset coach Shai Fisher said. “We’re fortunate to have players that are always asking how do I get better? How do I move up [the lineup]? How do I become a team captain?”
“They are always striving to improve and there is no complacency,” he added.
“Three straight is pretty much self-explanatory — we are the undisputed best,” senior co-captain Veyd Trivedi said. “I would call what we have a ‘little dynasty.’”
The three other wins in the title match were straight sets doubles victories. Shiv Chadha and Trivedi won at second doubles, Loui Peredo and Grayson Prince at third doubles and Leon Zhao and Anik Paul at fourth doubles.
“This is one of the deepest teams we’ve had,” Mehta said. “We’ve had doubles be the team’s strength. We’ve had singles be the team’s strength. This team is strong all around.”
Syosset opened the day with a statement of strength by defeating Section IX champion Washingtonville, 7-0, where none of its entries lost more than two games in winning their matches and none required even an hour. All that was left was to wait out the semifinal battle between Bethlehem (17-1) and Section V titlist Pittsford-Mendon.
In many ways Friday’s outcome was a bit of a foregone conclusion. By chance, the 2025 state tournament schedule had the two top teams, Syosset and Section I champ Horace Greeley, meeting in a regional final. After Syosset cleared that hurdle, a tough 4-3 triumph, they arrived at the Tennis Center prohibitive favorites.
“That was our hardest match of the tournament,” junior co-captain Nikhil Shah said, “but there was nothing to celebrate until today.”
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
