Hampton Bays And Westhampton Beach Tennis Teams Open New Season

The amount of experience returning to this season’s Westhampton Beach boys tennis team is what excites head coach Matt Reed the most.

“I’m very fortunate to have athletes of their caliber and with their work ethic in year one,” said Reed, who was named head coach of the girls and boys teams at the start of this school year. “Just like with the girls team, the boys have bought in right away, and the depth of talent that is on this team definitely excites me — the whole team is determined and committed to showing our opponents what we have.”

Unfortunately, the Hurricanes couldn’t put it away against a tough Ward Melville team in the opening match of the season Friday, losing 6-1. Returners Max Buchen, a sophomore, and Jake Zaffuto, a senior, were the only ones to come away with a win at second doubles.

But the score isn’t indicative of how the matches actually went.

“Every point, game and match was hard-fought and close,” Reed said. “Of course, we aren’t happy with losing, but if there was a good loss, that was one of them. They all fought hard, right to the last point.”

Also back are senior Alessandro Volpe, junior Gavin Vander Schaaf, and sophomores Anthony Agudelo, Theo Grellet-Aumont and Bobby Stabile.

“Gavin has shown tremendous leadership since even before the season started,” the coach said. “His game is impressive, and he’s proven to me that he has a strong knowledge of the game.”

Stabile won the Division IV title with teammate Andre Insalaco last season. The pair made it to the Suffolk County quarterfinals but had to bow out. Insalaco, a senior, did not return to the team this season.

“The boys have been welcoming, respectful and hard-working since day one,” Reed said. “Their skill levels have definitely been impressive, but more impressive to me is their willingness and desire to keep improving and supporting each other.”

New to the team this season is freshman Giancarlo Volpe, Alessandro’s younger brother, who Reed said has been a force in practice and “has really come onto the scene quickly. His game is already solid, and he is going to make a lot of noise this season.”

In truth, Reed said all of the new additions bring something to the team.

“They’ve had an immediate positive impact on the team during the practices, and I believe that will continue throughout the matches as well,” he said. “The returning core of players have chemistry and are all good friends, but they’ve also welcomed the new varsity players with open arms, and that’s resulted in productive and fun practices.”

The coach said prior to the March 24 match at Ward Melville that it was going to be his Hurricanes’ biggest, toughest test, but he also noted its importance in another way.

“It will show how we stack up against the top-tier teams in Suffolk, but we’ve been working hard and are ready for whatever comes our way,” Reed said. “Win or lose, we’ll take note of the positives as well as the things that can be improved.”

The Hurricanes hosted William Floyd on Tuesday; results were not yet available. Westhampton Beach travels to Sachem on March 31 for a 4 p.m. match and hosts Connetquot on Friday, April 1, at 4:15 p.m.

“Of course, we all want to have a successful and winning season,” Reed said. “But at the end of the day, it’s just great to see the guys out there having fun, improving and enjoying the sport they love after what we’ve all gone through the last couple of years.”

Hampton Bays head coach Diana Vamvakitis said she is thrilled to have a team full of returners this season.

Although the Baymen lost a top competitor in Jeremy Carcamo to graduation last year, back are senior Noah Sanabria, juniors Israel Pulla and Santi Salazar, sophomores Dylan Foley and Bobby Casabianca, and freshman Erik Sandstrom.

“Noah Sanabria has taken a leadership role and has been putting in a lot of work by practicing year round,” Vamvakitis said. “Noah is a role model for many of his teammates.”

New to the team are Chris Clinton, Ryan Connolly, Adrian Santamaria, Kael Schoerlin and Carlos Alonso.

Hampton Bays hosted Southold/Greenport Wednesday; results were not yet available. The Baymen host Bayport-Blue Point on Friday, April 1, at 4 p.m. and travel to Shoreham-Wading River on Monday, April 4, for a 4:30 p.m. match.

“Although we lost some key players last year, these boys seem to be dedicated and eager to improve their skills on the court,” Vamvakitis said. “We hope this year is a successful season as we focus on improving our individual skills and strategies, while having fun.”