Huntington Duo Propels Bates College Tennis
A pair of Huntington High School grads is helping anchor the Bates College men’s and women’s tennis teams. Michael Sherman and Caryn Benisch have each been mainstays in their respective program’s lineups.
While playing for the Blue Devils, Sherman won the 2004 New York State Doubles Championship with partner Mike Fehrs. The following year as a high school senior, he went 16-3 in singles, earning All-League and All-County honors.
At Bates, Sherman has also been excelling in singles play. Among his wins were matches against Rochester (6-1, 7-5), Wesleyan (6-2, 7-5), Southern Maine (6-0, 6-0), Babson (6-1, 6-0), Swarthmore (2-6, 6-3, 7-5) and Connecticut College (6-2, 6-2).
Sherman’s 6-2, 6-2 straight sets victory against Bowdoin helped Bates win the meet, 5-4. He has also tasted at least one bitter defeat, dropping a super tiebreaker against Brandeis, 4-6, 6-3, 16-14.
Huntington tennis coach Jamie Fishlow said Sherman “has improved his game tremendously. He continues to work very hard to keep his place in the line-up and is highly competitive in his conference.” He’s a member of Bates’ Class of 2009.
At Huntington, Benisch reached the New York State doubles tournament and enjoyed a very successful athletic and academic experience. At Bates, she is majoring in political science and economics and has been playing first singles and first doubles. She expects to graduate in 2009.
Benisch notched a big win in doubles this past year when she topped No. 23 The College of New Jersey, 8-5. She also looked strong in singles wins against Bowdoin, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) and Mount Holyoke (6-0, 6-3).
Fishlow said that Benisch “enjoys playing tennis at the college level. She enjoys the competition and the travel.” Bates will open its fall season at home on Sept. 13 against Maine at 4 p.m.
Fishlow hopes his current teams take notice of the program’s alumni. “These former players are fine examples of a student athlete,” Fishlow said. “They are strong role models for all the younger tennis players that are following them at Huntington High School.”
Comments or Questions? email the Public Information Office