Strezenec's win leads Calhoun to sixth Nassau badminton crown

When the going gets tough, the Calhoun girl's badminton team gets going.

The Colts earned their sixth Nassau County Championship with a 4-3 win over Great Neck South on May 14 at Bellmore Kennedy High School. Calhoun also had its eighth undefeated season in league play, finishing 15-0 record in League I. The program is 138-5 over nine years.

Captain Christina Strezenec faced Great Neck's Saki Todia at No. 1 singles in the tiebreaker of their first two meetings in the regular season.

"Christina brings great strength and power from being an all-county volleyball player," coach Gregg Muscarella said. "She arches her back and transfers weight; when she smashes the birdie the whole gym stops."

With her tricky cross drop shot, Todia's unique style created a riveting match; but after three games (16-21, 21-17, 21-16), Streznec came out on top.

Calhoun won all three singles matches and one doubles match. At No. 2 singles, Elise Meade defeated Meredith Green 21-16, 21-11. Cindy Lee won at No. 3 singles, beating Haiyin Tang 21-16, 21-8. Tessa Patti and Tiffany Minors were the only doubles winners for the Colts taking the first two games 21-18, 21-14.

Kaitlin Gallo and Alyssa Demonte had a thriller at No. 1 doubles against Grace Kim and Annie Wu who previously beat them in six straight matches during the regular season. Gallo and Demonte won the first game 21-17, but Great Neck South won 21-16 in the second game. The third and final game was 23-23 before the Rebels won, 25-23.

Strezenec won the overall singles title a week earlier, and is the only player at Calhoun to win four county titles in four years on varsity.

"My players have learned to be mentally tough," Muscarella said. "Add the finesse and power that these girls display and we have a full arsenal of strong offensive badminton that will bring us into next year."