The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Israel held court over SCC foes once again
How good has Josh Israel been the first two years for the Hand boys tennis team?
He’s been even better than his female counterpart was. Julia Migliorini, the SCC Division I Player of the Year on the girls side, lost once during the regular season in her first two years. Israel has yet to do so.
So of course, that made the sophomore a runaway choice for the same award on the boys’ side — and the Register’s Area MVP as well.
“For myself, the season was definitely a success,” Israel said. “For me personally, even though I lost in the semis of Class L and the quarters of (the State) Open play to very good players, they were two competitive matches. I thought I performed well. I’d call it a success.”
Israel went undefeated at No. 2 singles as a freshman for the Tigers (Migliorini was No. 1 all four of her years for North Haven). Israel helped Hand win a Class L state championship.
“He works harder than anyone I know,” Hand coach Dawn Fagerquist said. “He puts in 100 percent in his matches. He supports his teammates. He’s humble and gracious. He shows strength in his character when he plays.”
The Tigers finished third this season in Class L. Israel reached the L semifinals for the second straight year, losing to Michael Karr of Darien in three sets.
In the State Open, Israel fell to top seed Andrew Elie of Trumbull in the quarterfinals.
“I learned from those two specific matches. These two players are both highlyranked. I know them from the USTA Tour. I never played either of them before.”
Israel helped lead Hand to its second consecutive Southern Connecticut Conference tourn a BOYS
ment title. He outlasted Amity’s No.1, Brett Gloria, in three sets.
“When I walk on the court, I want to gain every advantage I can against my opponent,” said Israel, the SCC tournament Most Outstanding Performer. “I have try to maximize everything I have.”
Israel, 16, has already gotten his summer off to a good start. In a New England Sectional Championship held at Wesleyan University last month, Israel finished fourth in the 16under division.
Israel will play a couple of other tournaments before heading out to Kalamazoo, Michigan, in August for the USTA Hardcourts 16under division for the first time.
“I think Josh can be just as good as the top kids in New England,” Fagerquist said. “With his determination and focus, he can probably play Division 1 in college, Being a sophomore, he
still has some growing to do and put more weapons into his game.”
Israel is not an imposing presence at 5 foot 7. So he will have to improve other parts of his game to offset the lack of height.
“The guys I’m playing are taller than me, so I have to make up for that somehow,” Israel said. “I have to work on a better spin and placement (of his serve) and take control of points earlier.”
If Israel can make those improvements, it likely will end up being another banner season for the SCC’s top boys tennis player.
“It’s not like my opponents will stay at the same level. They will get better, so I have to improve my game during the summer and the offseason,” Israel said. “I want to go out and dominate the SCC like I did this year. If I can keep improving, I could see a Class L state title hopefully in my future. But I definitely have my work cut out for me.”