Garden City's Herrmann makes her mark

Garden City eighth-grader Morgan Herrmann's appearance in the title match of the Nassau individual championships last Sunday could be an indication of things to come in girls tennis.

The 13-year old was the second-ranked player entering the tournament, and lost only six games in the first three rounds before edging Great Neck South's Nicole Torres in the semifinals, 6-4, 7-5. Her eventual loss in the championship match to Syosset senior Hannah Camhi, the top-ranked player in the county who will play for Brown next fall, was perhaps expected but still impressive given Herrmann's age and inexperience in the tournament.

With Camhi graduating in the spring, Herrmann could be the county's next top singles player. "She'll absolutely ," Garden City coach Crystal Boyd said. "It could be in two years though, has taken it up a notch and could give her a run."

Boyd went on to praise Herrmann, calling her a smart and consistent player who understands how and when to use her strengths. Herrmann was more modest, though, and recognized the importance of her experience and how she can build upon it.

"Even though I'm in eighth grade it's great to play to with people older than me [so I can] learn," Herrmann said. "I think what I do well is see what the other player's weaknesses are and then figure out what to do and execute, but I can't underestimate anybody because everyone's really good."

Herrmann will compete at the state championships as the second-ranked singles player from Nassau beginning Nov. 4.