Despite playing against teams with nationally ranked players, junior Ari Ayzenberg, co-captain of the varsity boys tennis team, feels confident that his team’s depth gives the team a chance at making a state run this year.

“[For] a lot of teams, their first twocourts are very, very good, but then they have no depth,” said Ayzenberg. “We have good players all around.”

“Even if our first two courts lose, it’s likely that our last courts win because we’re just really good top to bottom,” Ayzenberg said.

The team started the season with a win at the Harlem Invitational on April 16. As of May 9, the team has a record of 5-1 in dual meets, including a 6-1 win over Glenbrook South on May 4.

Ayzenberg and senior Brandon Chie, also co-captain,play on the team’stop doubles court as of May 9.

The team’s experience has contributed heavily towards its strong start to the season, as many varsity players are returning from last year, head coach Jeff Jordan said.

As the team’s No. 1 singles player, sophomore Konrad Kwiatkowski plays an important role on the team, Jordan said. As of May 9, Kwiatkowski has an individual record of 10-1.

“For the schedule we play, you’ve got to have what they call a ‘hammer,’” said Jordan. “The hammer is a top player, and for us, that would be Konrad,who placed top 20 in the state last year.”

Inclement weather at the start of the season forced the team to adapt, as the ball changes direction and speed during windy play. In colder weather, matches are shortened by replacing the third set with a super tiebreaker. In the super tiebreaker, the first player or doubles team to reach 10 points with a two-point margin wins the match.

“[The super tiebreaker] ratchets up the pressure and mistakes of every point, and we’ve done pretty well with that, which bodes well for the future,” said Jordan. “Tennis is mostly about the pressure, a lot of times that you put on yourself.”

The team is scheduled to compete at the Glenbrook South Sectional on May 20 and May 21.

Chie and Ayzenberg are hoping to compete in the state seriesquarterfinals for doubles, in addition to qualifying for the state finals as a team, Chie said.

“We just need to stay a little more focused and be a little more consistent, [reducing] silly errors,”Chiesaid.

According to Ayzenberg, the team’s tough schedule is going to pay off during the later parts of the season.

“It’s always fun to play teams that are better than you,” said Ayzenberg. “You get great competition and you can learn, see what they’re doing and then use that against them.”