Final Run for Tennis Standout at MHS

Mamaroneck's Rob Millman and Alex Kupferman were playing No. 1 and No. 2 singles, respectively, for the tennis team this season before teaming up to prepare for doubles in the postseason.

The combination of Kupferman's mature net game and Millman's determination proved to be a good match.

Kupferman and Millman went further than any other Tigers players, advancing to the quarterfinals of the conference tournament in June before having their season end by a team from Scarsdale.

It was the final run for Millman, a senior who made a lasting impression on Mamaroneck tennis coach Tim Hooker.

"I'd never seen such intense concentration and will and fight before in my previous years coaching," Hooker said. "He had such clear determination even if the opponent were clearly better. He would stay in it even if he was down 5-0."

Kupferman just finished his junior year, so he will have one more year to show off his finesse at the net.

Also returning are freshman Ryan Cadden and Dan Baigel, who fell one match short in the league tournament of joining Kupferman-Millman in the conference tournament.

"They're two guys who everyone is going to have to reckon with down the road," Hooker said. "They just need a little more seasoning as far as positioning on the court and knowing when to capitalize on the moment.

"They're really going to be two of the best to come through the Mamaroneck boys program in years."

Mamaroneck finished 9-5 as a team this season, beating up on some developing teams but losing to tough opponents like Scarsdale. Hooker is hoping that, instead of using strict geography, the leagues will be realigned next season so that teams will be grouped by ability.

"We played some teams that were much better than us and some teams that we were so much better than," Hooker said. "We're hoping that the schools will work on realigning better. A bunch of the coaches felt that way."

Nine of the 16 players, including 8 of the 11 starters, are coming back next season, so the Tigers have a good shot to improve on its 9-5 record. They will have to replace Millman along with the No. 3 singles and No. 1 doubles players.

"We will have a good team next year," Hooker said. "It's not going to be a drought."