Syosset's Camhi in control on, off tennis court
Syosset's Hannah Camhi returns the ball during her win against Hills West's Carly Siegel the Long Island team tennis championships at Smithtown East. (Nov. 2, 2010) Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
There's a tennis racquet on the floor of Hannah Camhi's family van.
There was a tennis racquet in her father's hands the day he met her mother over 20 years ago, and, when Camhi was a toddler, a smaller, foam version that she would grip tightly and swing fiercely.
Camhi's life so far can be divided in moments like that, milestones deftly intertwined with the life spent growing on a tennis court.
One moment, four years ago: Camhi and her dad Mitchell win the USTA Family Grassroots Tournament. "As a parent, I'm missing shots, and Hannah's like, 'don't worry dad, you'll get it,'" Mitchell said. "It was backwards."
Another moment, this year: Camhi leads her Syosset team to a 14-1 record and its second straight Long Island championship over Half Hollow Hills West. "She's matured so much on the court," coach Larry Levane said. "She's in control of herself and determined."
And finally, another two moments, a little over a month ago: losing to Garden City's Jacqueline Raynor in the Nassau County individual championship and making it all the way to the state championship final before losing to sophomore standout Jamie Loeb of Ossining.
All the while, Camhi, a junior, grew as a player, a person, and now, a leader - enough to earn her Newsday's player of the year honors.
"I tried to take control of points better and be more on the offensive this year," Camhi said. "I knew I'd done well [at states] before, and I wasn't going to go down not fighting."
Camhi fought and eventually lost, 6-2, 6-0, but there are more memories to come - more time on the court, a wish to be team captain next year and maybe, just maybe, another shot at Loeb, whom she called "so tough". She plays every day except Tuesday, when she goes to see a trainer.
"I think her chances are excellent for next year," Levane said. "She'll go as far as she wants to go."
Camhi is ready, racquet in hand.
