What makes New Albany boys tennis' Ben Bilenko the perfect high school doubles player?
One off-the-cuff comment at the end of Ben Bilenko’s freshman year might not have been 100% true in hindsight, but at the time it sent his New Albany boys tennis teammates into a fit of laughter.
“Honestly, I don’t really like having goals,” Bilenko said after helping the Eagles to a runner-up finish in the 2021 Division I Ohio Tennis Coaches Association state tournament. “I don’t know why. …
“I just play wherever I play and try to win. Don’t let the ball bounce twice (and) hit it hard. That’s all I do, just keep it simple.”
Even if his career has not gone according to plan, Bilenko’s approach has worked. The senior has become a doubles stalwart who is a few good weeks from finishing his career in his fourth consecutive Division I state individual tournament.
“I was hoping to play singles by now, but I’m not complaining,” Bilenko said. “I’ve had a lot of success.”
Bilenko reached state with 2023 graduate Declan Freedhoff as a freshman and sophomore, and current sophomore Tyler Thomas became Bilenko’s postseason partner last year.
In between, Bilenko has lost count of his doubles partners. This year alone, he has played with Jackson Goodman, Noah Kleinman, Arthur Porto and Jake Satow in helping New Albany (12-3) to a 19th consecutive league championship, but Thomas will be his partner for a sectional that begins Wednesday at Hilliard Bradley.
That is a contrast from many other teams, which generally pair their top singles players for the postseason.
“He brings everyone up that he plays with,” said Thomas, who usually plays second singles. “He has great volleys and he’s a really good net player. …
“He gets balls that other guys wouldn’t at the net. He just makes plays other people won’t. It’s huge to get those points at the net.”
New Albany coach Marc Thomas said Bilenko’s leadership has been key.
“Whatever his partner needs to be successful, he’s really good at figuring that out,” Thomas said. “He’s one of the best doubles players we’ve had … but he also understands he has to bring somebody else along with him. His partners change all the time. He plays with a variety of different guys, which can be a challenge at times, but he leads by example.”
Bilenko, whose vocal on-court celebrations as an underclassman have mellowed into fist pumps and an approving nod to his partner, downplayed the challenge of acclimating to his teammates.
“We work on similar formations with everyone,” he said. “It’s a challenge for sure, but it’s fun. Getting different perspectives makes you think more about yourself and getting better.
“My mindset is, do what works and don’t do what doesn’t. I’ve gotten better at seeing tells in my opponent, and you can take advantage of their weaknesses and strengths.”
For all of Bilenko’s success, a district championship and placement at state have eluded him. He is a two-time district runner-up, and in 2022 he and Freedhoff defaulted to fourth place because of illness.
The top four finishers in singles and doubles at each of four sectionals advance to district May 15 and 18 at Upper Arlington. State is May 23 and 24 at the College of Wooster.
Given that he will not play in college, this is Bilenko’s farewell tour. He will major in cybersecurity at Cincinnati.
“I don’t like focusing that much on myself,” Bilenko said of his achievements. “We’ll see what happens. I’m having fun.”
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: New Albany boys tennis' Ben Bilenko becomes power on doubles court
