Friends Academy boys tennis rallies for third LI title in row
Friends Academy's Steven Seviroli in the Nassau Division II small school team finals on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Credit: George A. Faella
It takes grit and resilience to have the sort of comeback the Friends Academy boys tennis team had on Friday afternoon at Smithtown East High School.
Friends Academy defeated Suffolk opponent Ross, 3-0, in the Long Island Small Schools (Division II) championship, earning its third consecutive title.
But it didn’t come easily.
Out of the five matches taking place, Friends Academy went down in the first set in four of them. After a 6-4, 6-4 win from first doubles team Hudson Lee and Steven Seviroli, the Quakers were up 1-0, but they needed three wins to clinch the title.
It was juniors Will Bohner and Bryan Bin that got them there. After both of them fell in the first set, they rallied back to win the second and third sets, securing the win for the Quakers.
“It was extremely nerve-racking watching most of the matches drop the first set,” coach Owen Kassimir said. “For them to come back and win, I mean, it’s incredible.”
Bohner fell to Ross opponent Ignacio Pena Lopez 2-6 in the first set. He said that regrouping after the loss and adjusting his game plan was the key to his comeback.
“My opponent was playing amazing,” Bohner said. “I realized I needed to get the ball out of his strike zone and play a little higher and show that I’m not afraid to attack. And that’s what I did.”
Despite falling 3-6 in the first, Bin had a strong performance in the second and third sets, winning 6-1, 6-3 over Carlos Pena Lopez.
“I think it was really everyone cheering me on and helping me stay motivated,” Bin said. “Even when we’re down, it’s about trusting all of the work we’ve put in over the season, and trusting in one another.”
Both Bohner and Bin joined the team when the Quakers’ Long Island reign began two years ago. Bohner said that though two back-to-back championships was exciting, earning a three-peat is even sweeter.
“We were on the team when we won the first one,” Bohner said. “But to get a three-peat, it’s historic, and I’m very happy.”
Friends Academy (9-7) will head to the USTA National Tennis Center on June 6, where they will compete for their first state title.
“We’ve finished second in the state championship the last two years,” Bin said. “I think we’ll be able to take that extra step this time. The camaraderie on this team is like no other, we just have to keep doing what we’re doing.”
