Thursday, October 1, 2026
After an up-and-down 2025 season in Conference 2A, the Lynbrook boys tennis team rebounded this spring with an 8-6 record built on a dominant top singles player, balanced doubles depth and a young roster that is only beginning to develop.
Lynbrook opened the season by winning eight of its first 10 matches, highlighted by a 4-3 victory over conference-champion Baldwin on April 20. The Bruins finished the regular season with just one loss — delivered by the 2024 conference champion-Owls.
The victory gave coach Shari Bowes some solace following a disappointing campaign.
“We were the one team that had the Baldwin, which made them not undefeated,” Bowes said.
The Owls faded late, dropping four of their final five matches, but Bowes said injuries and absences played a major role in the difficult stretch.
“We had an illness at fourth doubles, so there was a sub in,” Bowes said. “We had some people absent and the doubles just weren’t our doubles. We had an injury in singles [too].”
Lynbrook’s biggest strength throughout the season came from sophomore Liam Raykis, who anchored first singles and finished with only one loss.
“Liam had an incredible year,” Bowes said. “The only match he’s ever lost was the Baldwin match. This was the only match he’s ever lost in three years.”
Behind him, the Owls relied on Jason Beard and Jake Frankel in the second and third singles spots.
“Jason had a great ability to rally the ball and keep the ball in play for long periods of time,” Bowes said. “He was able to get that corner shot, which was always at the right time.”
Bowes said Frankel’s athleticism stood out, especially before an ankle injury affected him late in the season.
“Jake is really able to get to anything,” Bowes said. “He was able to run to all the short balls. Once he hurt his ankle, I think it kind of turned the opposite way.”
Lynbrook’s doubles lineup became the backbone of the team. The first doubles tandem of junior Luca Silvagni and freshman Charley Roemig developed steadily throughout the spring and finished 9-5.
“Luca competed for a singles position,” Bowes explained. “In the end, he matched up really well with Charley. They weren't used to playing doubles, but by the end of the season, they meshed so well together.”
Another successful pairing featured senior Charlie Horton and sophomore Jube Jarrell, who went undefeated at 9-0 when playing together.
“I think [Charlie’s] calmness and his laid-backness with Jube’s new energy, I think they made a perfect match.” Bowes said.
Bowes also praised freshman Cameron Lewner, whom she expects to take on a larger role next season.
With nearly the entire roster expected back next spring, Bowes believes the Owls have established a strong foundation moving forward.
“I’m really looking forward to next year,” Bowes said. “I still have a young team. I feel like we built a new structure this year, and next season we can hopefully continue it on.”
