Meet the members of the Daily News Boys Tennis All-Stars for spring of 2023
Local athletes made names for themselves with star-studded performances and trophy-towing moments this past spring.
After combing over statistics and results, and with the guidance of local athletic directors and coaches, we at the Daily News selected All-Stars for baseball, softball, boys and girls lacrosse, boys volleyball, boys and girls tennis and boys and girls track and field.
Although the sports and skill sets may vary, there’s no denying that this group put up otherworldly numbers this spring while helping their respective teams find success – whether that be on the diamond, field, court or track.
Without further ado, the Daily News presents its 2023 All-Stars for boys tennis:
Kaden Chen, Westborough
A 17-2 record earned this sophomore the Mid-Wach A MVP award. Chen was also named Central Mass Player of the Year. While the Rangers were making a run to the state championship match, Chen was nearly flawless, losing just four games combined in the state semifinal and final. He is a member of the Math Team, FBLA and Science Olympiad at school and his hobbies are chess and piano.
Michael Ku, Westborough
A two-time Mid-Wach League All-Star, this junior posted a 15-3 record as the Rangers reached the state final for the third year in a row. Chen is a member of Student Council, National Honor Society, Best Buddies, a participates in cross-country and recreation basketball. He enjoys cooking and volunteering. Chen plans to study engineering in college while also playing club tennis.
Jagger Grace, Dover-Sherborn
The Tri-Valley League Small MVP, Grace is a three-time TVL All-Star and helped the Raiders make it to the Division 3 state final. He played at No. 1 doubles this past season with Cameron Strouse and the pair finished 21-1. Grace was co-director for Backpacks for Kids, played on the D-S soccer team and enjoys skiing and hiking. He will continue his education at the University of Colorado and hopes to play club tennis.
Srinjoy Ghosh, Westborough
This tri-captain and junior was a Mid-Wach A All-Star, playing first and second singles this spring. He was 16-3 heading into the Division 2 Final Four as the Rangers advanced to the state championship match for the third year in a row. Ghosh posted a 16-5 record at No. 1 singles last season and played third doubles as a freshman. “Srinjoy is a tenacious competitor and a leader on and off the court,” said Westborough coach Leonard O’Neil.
Eehab Khan, Westborough
The Mid-Wach A All-Star and tri-captain posted an 11-2 record at first doubles, pairing with classmate Michael Ku. This junior started at second doubles on Westborough’s state finalist team in 2022. Khan is an Interactive Club member and enjoys listening to music and volunteering at school. His favorite subject is history. His college plans include majoring in business and playing club tennis. “Both (Khan and Ku) returned this year with a chip on their shoulders and have started every match this year, playing with a variety of partners until this present configuration,” said Westborough coach Leonard O’Neil.
Evan Johnson, Dover-Sherborn
Teaming with fellow senior Cameron Strouse, Johnson put up a personal record of 19-3 and was named a Tri-Valley League All-Star, helping the Raiders reach the state final. The two-time TVL All-Star finished with a career 37-6 record and is a member of the National Honor Society. Johnson works at B & E Roofing during the summer and plays violin. He is attending Lafayette College, where he plans to play club tennis, and will study economics.
Andrew Hiebert, Wayland
In his only season on the varsity, the Warriors won the state championship. This senior posted an 8-3 record at doubles. Playing with Ryan Prince, Hiebert provided the winning point against Bedford to clinch the state semifinal match at Lexington High. Hiebert also enjoys playing basketball and pickleball and also works at Wayland Swim and Tennis Club as a tennis coach. He will attend the University of Richmond and will study international economics. He plans to play club tennis and basketball.
More: Wayland boys tennis back in Div. 3 state championship match
Lex Kaye, Hopkinton
The No. 1 singles player/captain went 15-0 during the regular season and earned Tri-Valley League Large MVP honors for the second time. In three varsity seasons, this senior went 44-5. Kaye is also a two-time TVL All-Star in cross-country. The National Honor Society member works as a tennis instructor in Holliston and enjoys playing spike ball. Kaye is attending St. Olaf College and will run cross-country and track and study kinesiology. “His hard work and dedication to his craft are only shadowed by his support for all of his teammates," said coach Matt Miller.
Zhiwen Liu, Medway
In addition to being a Tri-Valley League All-Star after posting a 15-3 record, this Boston University-bound senior was president of the National Honor Society at Medway High. He received a $10,000 scholarship for academic excellence, leadership and service. Liu, who participated on Medway’s golf and indoor track teams, also established a free SAT tutoring service and raised $600 for Medway food pantries with the tennis team. He plays the piano and works as a groundskeeper at Charles River Tennis Club. Liu plans on studying mechanical engineering at BU and is interning at a biotech startup in Framingham.
Noah Malkin, Wayland
This senior helped the Warriors to the state championship, losing just two matches during the season. The two-year captain was named to the Booster award. In his three varsity seasons, the team won two state titles and Malkin also has won the team’s Unsung Hero award. He was a member of Student Government and works at a tennis club. Enjoys pickleball and basketball and will attend the University of Florida to study political science on a pre-law track.
Ryan Prince, Wayland
This senior posted a 13-2 record at doubles and won state championships during his only two varsity seasons. Prince, teaming with Brendan O’Rourke, won 6-0, 6-3 in the title match last month against Dover-Sherborn to help Wayland clinch the crown. Prince was named Most Improved by his coach. He was a soccer captain in the fall and enjoys playing pickleball. Prince works at Wayland Swim and Tennis Club as a tennis coach and coaches soccer privately. He will study business at Clemson.
Roberto Rossi, Hopkinton
Teaming with Rishit Shekhar, Rossi was part of just one loss during the regular season as the Hillers earned a trip to the Final Four. The Tri-Valley League All-Star was part of the Ambassador Club and plays soccer in his native Italy. He says he likes listening to music before matches to hype himself up. Rossi volunteers in Italy with his mother for a Christmas event, collecting money for poor children. Because high school in Italy is five years, Rossi will travel back to Europe for his final year. He plans to attend college and play tennis in the U.S.
Rishit Shekhar, Hopkinton
The three-time Tri-Valley League All-Star did not lose during TVL play, with Roberto Rossi as his partner, as the Hillers advanced to the state Final Four. This sophomore was voted a team captain for next season. Shekhar also plays soccer, coaches tennis and is part of the Business Professionals of America. He also enjoys exploring things relating to aeronautics. “Roberto and Rishit are the epitome of a doubles ‘fire and ice’ fierce duo,” said coach Mike Miller. "Roberto's enthusiasm, fist pumps, and incredible power complement Rishit's consistent groundstrokes and quick hands at the net."
Cameron Strouse, Dover-Sherborn
In his third varsity season, this senior compiled a 20-3 record and helped the third-seeded Raiders advance to the Division 3 state championship match at MIT. The captain teamed with Evan Johnson at first doubles after posting an 18-1 record as a junior. He was 10-0 as a sophomore at second doubles and 48-4 for his career. Strouse was also a captain on the soccer team in the fall. He will attend Boston College’s School of Management.
Zachary Todd, Wayland
This Dual County League All-Star and senior captain lost just two matches this spring. He played three seasons of varsity tennis, playing at second doubles for two of them. Todd was president of the Business Leadership Club and serves as a coach/counselor for pickleball and tennis. He plays the piano and organ and works at local hospitals. Todd enjoys reading, writing and cooking, and will attend Boston College to study nursing.
Jeffery Zhang, Wayland
In his first varsity season, this freshman earned Dual County League All-Star honors after compiling an 11-7 record at No. 1 singles as the Warriors won the Division 3 state championship over Dover-Sherborn. Zhang won in three sets against D-S to help Wayland to a repeat title. Zhang also plays soccer and piano. He plans to study finance in college and possibly play tennis there. His brother, Jonathan, played on last year’s championship-winning team.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Meet the Daily News Boys Tennis All-Stars for spring of 2023
