Hampton Bays Boys Tennis Grows Roster, Revives Junior Varsity Squad

Hampton Bays boys tennis entered this season with something it hadn't had in a while: enough players to field a junior varsity squad again. Head coach Tracey Carey saw participation numbers climb, and the program responded by reinstating the JV team alongside varsity, giving the Baymen meaningful depth at both levels heading into spring competition.

At the top of the lineup, twin brothers Jaime and John "Ry" DePalma anchored first and second singles. Both juniors have been on the team since ninth grade, and Carey made clear the program leans on them. "Their confidence, consistency and dynamic style of play make them standouts once again this season," she said.

Jaime arrived at the spring season fresh off a standout winter on the mat. He earned All-County honors in wrestling, and he was direct about how he planned to carry that over to the court. "I'm very excited for this season," Jaime said. "I'm definitely planning to utilize the athleticism I built there in my tennis game." The source material also notes Jaime changed up his tennis game in the offseason, though the specifics of those adjustments weren't detailed.

Ry, meanwhile, turned his attention to the third singles slot, offering a pointed scouting report on that player's improvement. "His serve has improved considerably, and he has reached greater power and control with his shots," Ry said. "I have high hopes for him." The third singles player was not identified by name in available reporting.

Senior leadership sits with captains Alex Rojas, Santiago Solorzano and Ty Terilli. Carey placed significant stock in what that trio brings to the culture of the program. "I always rely on my seniors for their experience and leadership," she said. "They set the tone with their work ethic, skill and commitment."

Below the upperclassmen, Carey flagged sophomore Anthony Zarumeno as a player to watch. "He is going to be very exciting to watch this season," the coach said. "He, along with sophomore Andrew Castillo and junior Allan Reyes, have been playing year-round, and that dedication is really showing." All three have committed to the sport outside the school season, which in the Hamptons is easier than it sounds. The Ross School Tennis Center in East Hampton offers year-round play on six HarTru courts enclosed by a bubble from mid-fall through mid-spring, and its RSTA Yellow+ program specifically targets JV and varsity players with two hours of practice every day after school. The facility, located at 20 Goodfriend Drive in East Hampton, is open to the public; reach them at Ross.org/Tennis, tenniscenter@ross.org or (631) 907-5162.

Carey tied the program's ambitions directly to the culture she's been building, not to any single result. "The biggest strength of this team is the boys' willingness to stay committed, work hard and support one another," she said. "Those qualities always make for a successful team."

With a reinstated JV program adding competitive reps for younger players and three year-round contributors already showing results in practice, Hampton Bays looks positioned to grow not just this season but for the two years the DePalma twins still have remaining in the program.