The Westside boys varsity tennis team ended their season with a fourth place finish at the state tournament. The biggest story of the tournament for the Warriors was the comeback player of the year and No. 2 singles state champion Josh Rosenblatt. After losing his entire junior season to an ACL injury in 2020, Rosenblatt found a new appreciation for the game when he was on the court.

“I’m thankful for every day that I got to step on the court this season,” Rosenblatt said. “It took a lot of hard work this offseason rehabbing and getting back in playing shape for my senior season. It feels really good to be able to end the season on a high note.”

 In the No. 2 singles championship, Rosenblatt came all the way back from being down a set to undefeated Yakub Islamov of Lincoln East, who was undefeated on the season and won 6-4.

“In that last set I tried my hardest to stay level-headed,” Rosenblatt said. “Coming back from a set down, leading 5-3 was when it really started to hit me that I could win this.”

Head coach Bart Jeseritz felt that the most impressive thing to see about Josh was his continued progression throughout the season.

“Seeing where he started at the beginning of the season and stepping up week after week was amazing to watch,” Jeseritz said. “Coming out in state and winning three straight sets to beat a kid [Islamov] who was undefeated all season long, I was so happy to see him fight back and end his senior season as a state champion.”

After a third place finish in 2020, the Warriors dropped one spot to fourth at the state tournament this year. Jeseritz was incredibly impressed by how well the team worked and competed this season.

“I’m really happy with it,” Jeseritz said. “The kids continued to play their hearts out all year long, finishing second in Metro with three divisions advancing to the finals. Finishing fourth in state and having Josh Rosenblatt win a state championship, I can’t ask for much more out of my guys.”

While Rosenblatt has done his duties as a Warrior, he’s optimistic about the future of this team.

“We had a great team this year with a lot of heart,” Rosenblatt said. “We continued to improve as the season progressed, especially seeing [sophomore team captain] A.J. Shefsky adapt to that leadership role in No. 1 singles.”

After a great 2021 season, Westside will continue to work in the offseason with a strong team for the 2022 season.