Tennis Team

The Yeshiva University Tennis Team is ready to begin a new season. Try outs recently concluded and there are several new faces on this year's team to join the core group of returners. The returning players include veteran talents such as David Shwartz, Steve Langer, and Yonaton Bendheim. Last years' Rookie of the year Jeff Taub, rising stars Ari Raskas, Adam Aftergut, Joseph Weilgus, and Steve Pollack, and Micha Porat, coming off a tough ankle injury, round off the returners. Top new players include Ari Ellenberg, Erik Taub, Daniel Resnick, John Kestenbaum, and Edo Jacobowitz.

This season is being considered a rebuilding one as the team will try to overcome the loss of many key players. The team will sorely feel the absence of Tzvi Silberstein, Shai Samet, Edon Hirt, and Yeshiva University Athlete of the year Josh Hasten, all of whom graduated last year.

Coming off an unprecedented fourth undefeated season, the Tennis Team will attempt to continue a remarkable unbeaten streak that has lasted over a span of thirty-seven matches. This will definitely not be an easy task, as many of the players lack actual match experience. The players do, however, have high hopes that they will be able to keep the streak alive.

When asked about his teams' chances of continuing the streak through a fifth year, Coach Jon Bandler replied, "We have the potential to be a good team. I am concerned about the fact that several players don't have much match experience, but with enough practice I am confident we will have a successful season. No predictions (for the team's success) because in the past we've had very experienced teams, and experience is very important."

The Team has held two very promising practices thus far. They hope to be able to ignore their apparent match inexperience, compete like veterans, and keep their wonderful streak alive. Furthermore, the team is stressing their ability to maintain the honor and respect associated with the name of the Yeshiva University Tennis Team.