Max Golubenko from Manhasset and Ethan Solop from Roslyn, two standout high school tennis players on Long Island, prepare for their final championship matches at the NYSPHSAA Individual Championships held at the USTA National Tennis Center. As seniors, both players have demonstrated impressive skills, making it through the quarterfinals without dropping a set. Golubenko, in particular, reflects on his journey from merely competing to a strong desire to win, while Solop, having placed fifth in the state previously, continues to perform strongly under pressure as they navigate this significant tournament.
Golubenko, the second seed in the singles tournament, dispatched Janis Oswald with relative ease for a 6-3, 6-2 quarterfinal win. In his first match of Friday's Round of 32, the Trinity College (Conn.) commit got a battle from Amherst Central's Aiden Belle-Isle and pulled through for a 6-4, 7-5 triumph before beginning to roll.
When I got here a year ago, I was just happy to have gotten here; this year I didn't bring the losing attitude - I came to win.
There's a pressure playing here now and everyone is going to be nervous to some extent. This isn't some USTA event where there is another right around the corner next weekend. This is a once-a-year tournament.
Solop, who is seeded fourth and took fifth place in the state a year ago, has hit the ground running. He defeated Justin Barrett of Liverpool in the quarters, 6-2, 6-4.
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