The Bethlehem boys’ tennis team poses for a photo after winning the Section 2 Class AA team title for the third consecutive year with a 7-2 win over top-seeded Shaker on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Columbia High School.
Jess Koehler/For the Times Union
EAST GREENBUSH—Entering the season, Bethlehem boys’ tennis coach Steve Smith told his Eagles they would do something special this year.
Smith’s prediction was correct as No. 2 Bethlehem hoisted a Section 2 plaque for the third consecutive year with a 7-2 win over top-seeded Shaker in the Class AA team final on Thursday at Columbia High School.
Article continues below this ad
“The kids are different every year,” Smith said. “Some of these guys, seniors, obviously, have been with me for a while, but we call ourselves a family. It’s special to do it every year. It’s bittersweet seeing my seniors. I’m so happy for them because now we get to go on for a little bit longer.”
Bethlehem, which lost to Shaker earlier this month in regular-season action, played in its 10th team championship in as many years and won its seventh title in eight seasons.
“It feels really good because we’re always working together and we’re trying to go for the same achievements,” Bethlehem seventh grader Taj Hayes-De said.
Make the Times Union a Preferred Source on Google to see more of our journalism when you search.
Add Preferred Source
“I think the reason is that we’re all working together,” Bethlehem sophomore Henry Wang said. “Talent is one part, but I think we’re all a family and that’s why we keep winning every year.”
Article continues below this ad
Wang swept past Krish Parasuraman 6-1, 6-3 in the No. 6 singles match to clinch the Eagles’ win.
“I didn’t think that would be me. I thought it would be someone else,” Wang said. “I’m really proud of myself and my team, that we stuck together as a family. We won and that’s all I cared about.”
“I’m so, so proud (of Wang),” Smith said. “He’s one of those consistent, consistent players. Adversity doesn’t scare him.”
Bethlehem won all three of its doubles matches, including the No. 1 duo of Hayes-De and freshman Muthu Sanjai, who cruised to a 6-2, 6-1 win over Charlie Adelstein and Yunhan Chen.
Article continues below this ad
“We had to be confident,” Sanjai said. “Once we got into a rhythm, you know, it was pretty easy. If you weren’t confident, it would be pretty hard.”
Bethlehem won the final two matches of the evening as Jacob Lyubarov gutted out a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 win over Rishab Arvind in the No. 1 singles matchup and Arnav Jakkamsetti rallied for a 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 win over Aniket Kothapally.
Renat Gosmanov defeated Jack Keating 7-5, 6-1, and Ronith Arvind edged Aneesh Jakkamsetti 7-6, 7-5 to secure the pair of wins for the Blue Bison.
Bethlehem will face Class A winner Columbia in a crossover Tuesday at Shenendehowa to determine who advances to next month’s state tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing. Freshman Michael Hanlon, who defeated William Mao 6-1, 6-3 in Thursday’s No. 3 singles matchup, will represent the Eagles in the individual championships, set for June 5-7.
Article continues below this ad
The team championships will be held on June 12. Bethlehem was the 2025 Division 1 runner-up and lost to Section 8 power Syosset 7-0.
“I’m very excited,” Wang said. “Playing the U.S. Open courts, it’s just another core memory for me in high school.”