Long Beach's unbeaten trio

Long Beach boys’ tennis coach Sue Hirschbein-Bodnar says the gap between singles players Eric Rubin, Matt Barry and Ethan Bogard isn’t great and they’re practically interchangeable parts in the lineup.

“They’re all close in talent level,” she said. “Eric and Matt are a year older than Ethan, but Ethan could easily handle first singles and do well. We’re fortunate to have them and we’ve got a lot to look forward to next year with them coming back.”

The Marines have had a few players go undefeated over the years, most recently Danny Kreyman who has a 49-23 singles record at Wake Forest, but never three perfect finishes as Rubin, Barry and Bogard enjoyed together this spring.

“It’s pretty remarkable,” Hirschbein-Bodnar said. “They’re the most dedicated players and very composed and intelligent on the court. They don’t beat themselves.”

Opponents don’t beat them, either. At least in 2011 they didn’t. Rubin, a junior, went 9-0 at first singles, Barry, a junior, was 11-0 at second singles, and Bogard, a sophomore, finished 11-0 at third singles. “Eric missed two matches because he was in California for the Intel science competition,” Hirschbein-Bodnar said of Rubin, who features a powerful serve and strong baseline strokes.

The coach said the only time any of them struggled this spring was on a windy day in Hewlett. “It cost them a set, but not a match,” Hirschbein-Bodnar said.

All three have been a part of Long Beach’s varsity roster since seventh grade and travel regularly around the United States playing USTA Tournaments, Hirschbein-Bodnar said. This was Bogard’s first season at the high school level as part of the singles lineup. 

The Marines finished 6-5 in Conference 1B and endured many hard-fought losses. “All the matches were 4-3 except one,” Hirschbein-Bodnar said. “We dropped some tough ones in three sets.”

Of Long Beach’s 11 starters, Brandon Sadowsky was the only senior. He played third doubles with sophomore Russell Goetz. Jonathan Smucker and Andrew Schnier formed a No. 1 doubles tandem that was competitive in every match. Jarret Levine and Justin Charschan played second doubles, and Zach Klein and Jordan Jaffee comprised the fourth duo. Top sub Brandon Levokove was another key contributor. 

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