Fife and Kaplan Serve Up State Doubles Crown

Ben Fife and Austin Kaplan have accomplished a feat no other Scarsdale doubles team has accomplished since 1994 – winning the NY State Public High School boys state title. Fife and Kaplan became the first duo to capture the crown since Jeff Weiser and Jason Beckman were able to do so in ’94. After finishing second in last years state tournament, Fife and Kaplan had the confidence and composure to make it to the finals yet again. This time, however, they were able to beat a very strong Byram Hills team to add a state title to their illustrious and thrilling high school tennis careers.

Emotions were flying for Fife and Kaplan after the match. Extremely jubilant, Kaplan commented, “To play at the National Tennis Center is great, but to win it all – this is truly unbelievable.” The Byram Hills team they faced in the finals, is in fact a very familiar opponent. Jordan Kaufman and Kyle Rosen of Byram Hills beat Kaplan and Fife in the 2010 doubles state tournament. Just days before the state tournament began this year, Fife and Kaplan defeated Kaufman and his new doubles partner, Kyle Berman, to win the section in a hard fought three set match. Fife added, “As tough as it was constantly competing with these guys, it is a shame that this high school tennis rivalry has to end. These have been some of the best matches I have ever played.” As juniors, Fife and Kaplan have next year to do the very same thing if they wish to do so. Unfortunately, Jordan Kaufman and Kyle Berman are graduating and will not be able to compete next year.

One frequently overlooked aspect of high cchool tennis is the influence of the coaches. Coach Jennifer Roane, the Varsity A tennis coach for both boys and girls, has known Fife and Kaplan for some time now. As she saw the first set of the finals slipping away, she knew she had to intervene and speak to her soon-to-be state champions. “Berman and Kaufman came out blazing,” Coach Roane continued, “We looked asleep. We were not coming up to net and we were not being aggressive. I told them they need to have variety with shots in the middle and shots in the alley. It seemed to work pretty well.” It certainly did. After dropping the first set 4-6, Kaplan and Fife were able to pull off the unthinkable, defeating the Byram Hills team in three sets, winning the final two 6-4 and 6-3.

When asked about preparation for next year’s states, Coach Roane responded, “It has already started. Ben is talking about next years states conflicting with the prom.” Regardless, Fife and Kaplan should have an exhilarating year playing high school tennis.”

Pictured at top: The victorious doubles team of Austin Kaplan (left) and Ben Fife (right) with Coach Jennifer Roane