The JP Stevens Boys Tennis team has been renowned for many years in the NJ tennis community, and is continuing its winning streak this season with a record of 9-4 and a 5-2 record in the red division. Led by Captains Shravan Venkat and Brandon Chang, the Hawks have faced many adversities this season. This includes having to play their home games at the newly renovated Oak Tree Courts instead of the usual JP courts and adjusting to a different head coach. However, they have faced these challenges with a positive attitude and determination.

This season’s main highlight was the GMC tournament, where the Hawks placed 3rd overall, ranking below the East Brunswick and South Brunswick teams. Individual wins include second singles Agastya Dewan and first doubles Shravan Venkat and Brandon Chang. The second doubles duo of Ishan Ray and Eshin Nadpara placed third, and first singles Spandan Chandra placed fourth. 

The team consists of six seniors including Shravan and Brandon. The pair has not only played together for the Hawks, but have been best friends since the fifth grade. The two feel that the best thing about JP tennis is the sense of community and the friendships they all have. “I am going to miss the team spirit, competitive nature of JP, and the after-match eats,” stated Shravan. Brandon added, “I’m going to miss fighting for the team, school, and cheering on my teammates.” They feel as though once you are a Hawk, you are always a Hawk.  

This message is also reiterated by Coach Rosenberg and Coach Mendez who feel that the most impressive thing about this team is the bond that they share. “These kids operate as one entity and while that is a goal easily stated at the start of a season, it is very difficult to actually accomplish, especially in tennis where they take the courts individually,” Coach Rosenberg remarked. “I love this team.” 

So far, the team has had an impressive season. They have played some of the best teams in NJ including the third, eighth, tenth, and sixteenth ranked teams. However, the Hawks still hold their own against this incredibly tough competition. With a season full of trials and tribulations, the Hawks still are on the road to another incredible year.