Thursday, October 1, 2026
There is not much of a winning tradition for Wantagh tennis. But one may have started.
For the first time since 2017, the Wantagh boys tennis team captured the Conference 3B title with a stunning 13-1 regular season.
And for the first time ever, the Warriors won a playoff matchup – taking out Sewanhaka District, 5-2 on May 7.
"It's exciting,'' Wantagh coach James Punnzone said. "I became coach four seasons ago. We only had 10 guys on the team. We couldn't field a full lineup.''
Wantagh's roster is now at 22. In Nassau County tennis, the matches consist of three singles and four doubles. Players can't do both events. Hence, 11 are needed.
Other states and regions have different formats. For instance, in Florida, it is five singles and two doubles and the singles players can play both. Hence, only five players might be required.
"That's our strength as a team - our depth,'' Punnzone said. "Wantagh isn't a heavy tennis community. The kids I have don't grow up playing tennis. I teach in the district. I'm always looking for the kid who are athletes and don't play baseball or lacrosse in the spring season. I know the competitive kids will fall in love with the sport. If they're athletic, they can show a lot of growth.''
Of the seven seniors, three have been with the program since freshman year when Punnzone started – third singles Nick Ciaraella and the senior second doubles team of Matt D'Amico and Sean Rissland.
"Three of those kids who were freshman are now seniors,'' Punnzone said. "It shows the growth of the program. It means a lot to the boys. They put a lot of time and effort into this – practicing over the summer and getting their friends to come out to play. It was a lot of fun this year. Those three have been by my side since my first year of coaching.''
Ciaramella posted a 12-1 regular-season record and won the crucial match against Sewanhaka, rallying for a 5-7, 6-2-, 6-1 victory over Nathan Gee. Ciaramella had lost to that player the prior week.
"We knew that would be a swing match,'' Punnzone said.
His prior loss to Gee was the only blemish on Ciaramella's record. "This was my first playoff match since I began playing tennis,'' Ciaramella said. "To be able to come back against my opponent, who is the best player I have faced this year, was truly my proudest, athletic moment. I couldn't be happier.''
Punnzone, who also coaches football and wrestling, saw his first and third doubles post unbeaten regular seasons.
The first doubles tandem of Jacob D'Amico/Markus Oberheim recorded a 12-0 gem. D'Amico had never played tennis before – spending his prior years on the track.
"Markus is a sophomore and one of the most competitive kids I ever coached in any sport,'' Punnzone said. "He plays with a senior (D'Amico) and it's his first year ever playing tennis – an awesome athlete.''
Third doubles Emmett Reilly/Gio Stornello weaved a 13-0 clip.
While the team was senior-dominated, a freshman played at first singles – Sebastian Alisie. He was 9-5. Though he lost his playoff match, he rallied strongly in a 6-2, 7-5 outcome.
"He's so fiery and competitive,'' Punnzone said. "As he gets older, he's only going to get better. He did a great job.''
At second singles was Ben Furer, who went 10-3. Rounding out the lineup was Danny Donahue/Jayden Mun at fourth doubles, going 10-1.
The Warriors fell in the playoffs to powerhouse Port Washington but nothing could spoil Wantagh's magical season.
