HS boys’ tennis: Staten Island Academy’s Tyler Bush on point again as he claims 2nd straight NYSAIS crown

Staten Island Academy’s Tyler Bush admitted to feeling the heat before defending his New York State Association of Independent School’s (NYSAIS) singles tennis championship.

“It’s actually a lot of pressure going in,’’ said the 18-year-old Bush, who will graduate from SIA later his month. “Before last year, you hear about how tough it is to win it all and when you do it, I think you’re expected to win it again.

“So yes, I was feeling it.’’

Maybe so, but the right-handed Bush didn’t show it on the court.

The top-seeded Bush, in fact, recently won three consecutive matches, including a nifty triumph over Trinity School’s Evan Chu, to take home his second straight NYSAIS title at Columbia University. Bush never lost a set in the three matches and only needed to go to a tie-breaker once as he followed his history-making title of a year ago with another crown.

“It’s definitely a great way to go out my senior year,’’ said Bush, who will be attending IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., in the fall. “It wasn’t easy, but I was glad to come out on top again.’’

In order to earn a spot in the final, the 6-foot Bush needed to defeat No. 8 seed Spencer Buten of Friends Seminary, 6-3, 7-5, in the quarters before upending No. 5 Joaquin Gil of Berkeley Carroll, 6-1, 6-3, in the semis.

That set up the title match vs. No. 2 Chu. Thanks to a lethal serve — he recorded a number of aces — and a strong forehand, the Todt Hill resident was able to take down Chu 6-1, 6-3.

“The final was tough. I played a match against an exceptional player,’’ praised Bush of Chu. “He’s young and a blue chip and he played an amazing match, but fortunately I was able to (play an amazing match) too.’’

Bush’s serves steadily clocked in at 125 miles per hour.

“My serve and forehand were amazing during the tournament,’’ Bush added. “My serve is the biggest part of my game and I did get a lot of aces in the tournament, including the championship.’’

Bush also captured the Staten Island Interscholastic boys’ singles championship earlier this week.