Hewlett tandem wins doubles crown

Hewlett’s two singles players, senior J.J. Tauil and junior Dan Grinshteyn, weren’t new to playing doubles together when coach Ron Remick paired them in the Nassau County championships.

“I used them in practice to challenge our top doubles team,” Remick said. “It’s different than singles, but J.J. and Dan are both tall and strong net players with plenty of endurance from USTA tournaments.”

All of the above came in handy when Tauil and Grinshteyn made a spirited run to the title May 21 at Oceanside High School. Remick  noted they lost just one of seven sets and became the first Bulldogs to qualify for the state tournament in almost 10 years.

“I’m not shocked,” Remick said.

After rolling through their first two matches by scores of 10-1 and 10-2, Tauil and Grinshteyn upset top-seeded Kevin Katz and Stephen Peng from Syosset in three sets (7-5, 5-7, 6-2) in the semifinals. In the finals, the Bulldogs duo got by Great Neck North’s Doron Saraf and Jared Lewis, 6-3, 6-2.

Tauil, who earned a tennis scholarship to attend Fordham, had five regular-season wins at first singles and helped Hewlett (10-3 overall) reach the playoffs for the third time in four years. “He’s had a nice career that can’t be judged by record alone,” Remick said. “He’s got a powerful serve and the ability to hit winners from the baseline.”

Grinshteyn, who didn’t play for four months between seasons due to a back injury, went 8-4 at second singles. “He’s more finesse than power, but he can hit hard,” Remick said. “His shot placement is consistent and he keeps opponents off-balance.”

At third singles, junior lefty Harrison Brenner continued to raise his level of play and enjoyed a 10-win spring. “He’s come a long way,” Remick said. “He learned how to finish off matches.”

Each of Hewlett’s doubles combinations excelled despite being newly formed. Juniors Matt Miller and Saahil Brahmbatt went 9-3 in the No. 1 position, junior Andrew Bienstock and sophomore Stone Mitchell lost only once at second doubles, junior Adam Troyetsky and freshman Josh Stein won seven of eight at third doubles, and junior Perry Goffner and freshman Ankur Kejriwal finished 7-1 at fourth doubles.

“We swept doubles in a bunch of matches,” Remick said. 

With Tauil the only full-time starter graduating later this month, the outlook for 2012 appears bright.

“I expect us to contend for a playoff spot again,” Remick said.