Only six matches into the season, the Parkland boys tennis team has shown it is calm, cool and collected.

The Trojans have also shown they are a perfect 6-0. Perhaps more impressive is that most of Parkland’s roster is too young to know they’re not supposed to be this good this early.

“They are playing well and they are extremely young guys,” said head coach Mike Hingston. “They are definitely showing me something.”

What they are showing Hingston transcends tennis techniques and fundamentals - although the Trojans certainly have both. They have displayed plenty of mental toughness.

“They really don’t seem to be the nervous types,” Hingston said. “Tennis can be a funny game sometimes and mentally when you’re out there you are on your own. This group handles pressure well and is young and confident mentally.”

Part of that confidence is because the Trojans have talent. The level of ability between number one sophomore Ankit Lenka and number two senior Matthew Liu is myopic. The numbers before their names could easily be reversed. It gives Parkland a potent one-two punch and gives opponents potent problems.

Lenka “has a great mental approach who keeps playing through rough patches,” said to Hingston. “He’s also always working on his game and he is a student of the game. Tennis is an important part of his life. He also has shown good leadership qualities.”

In a March 28 match against Pocono Mountain East, Lenka dismantled Caleb Grassi 6-0, 6-0. That was the same score registered by teammate Liu, who beat PME’s Roshan Forde 6-0,6-0. Liu is a young man who goes about this job with little fanfare, but produces big results.

“He’s a very classy, professional player,” says Hingston. “He’s steady and has shown consistent growth.”

Parkland’ third singles player, freshman Dan Zolatarev, has displayed his value through the team’s first six matches.

“Danny has unlimited potential,” Hingston said. “What a great attitude he has. He’s almost always up and always happy. He flat-out loves tennis and loves the tennis atmosphere.”

His opponents may not love him all that much, however. Case in point is PME’s Justin Montes, who ran into the Zolatarev buzz saw during a straight-set 6-0, 6-0 shutout.

The Trojans’ doubles teams have provided little reprieve for opponents so far. The duo of Fydar D’Souza and Conrad Lee are usually leading the way.

“They are on top of their games right now,” Hingston notes. “They are playing very well and are doing a great job.”

Doubles team Andy Ringold and Ee-ning Ooi have little experience playing with one another. However, it looks like they’ve played together for six years.

“These two are playing extremely well,” the coach said.

Sans Veera and Sonjviv Parthasarathy along with Josh Jaffe and Krishna Narramneni comprise the other two Trojan duos. Each have done great jobs early on.

“I’m having fun,” Hingston said of his 2019 season. “I kind of like the way this team is coming together.”