Girls tennis preview
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
Syosset again will be the class of Conference I as it vies for its third consecutive county championship. Hannah Camhi could be the best player on Long Island and junior Rithika Reddy and senior Lisa Petruzillo give Syosset solid depth. Garden City reached the county title match last season and will rely on its youth with eighth grader Morgan Herman and sophomore Brittnay Burke leading the way. Roslyn has freshman Marissa Luchs at first singles and will have a younger lineup overall.
After winning the Conference II title, Oceanside moves up to Conference I and brings back sophomore Paulina Tafler, who was undefeated in singles last season. Manhasset, led by senior Katherine Yau, also makes the move from Conference II to Conference I after back-to-back division titles.
Half Hollow Hills West could win its third straight county championship with returning juniors Zenat Rashidzada and Sarah Han. Hills East starts senior captain Ludmila Yamus at first singles with freshman Vanessa Scott and sophomore Allison Huber expected to play key roles. Commack is a deep team that could make a run to the county finals with junior Lara Fishbane and sophomore Tracey Rosenlicht heading its singles lineup.
East Islip, with freshman Karen Serina, who was an all-state alternate as an eighth grader last season, will challenge West Islip in League III. West Islip returns the Division II champion doubles pair of seniors Samantha Sienkiewicz and Brianna Frame.
Westhampton, led by senior Samantha Lacetera and junior Bridget Connors, should be the strongest team in League VII. Ross will have to endure a rebuilding year after Nadia Smergut, last season's singles county champion, changed schools.
CHSAA
St. Francis Prepwill go for its 14th consecutive Class A title. The squad is anchored by four seniors: Katie Derienzo, Marylen Santos, Samantha Rosco-Sipot and Lisa Ventimiglia.
St. Anthony's, led by junior Courtney Keating, could be the toughest challenge for St. Francis in the conference.
Kellenberg hopes to bounce back from a difficult season with seniors Katie Alexanderson and Ailie Posillico atop its singles lineup. Holy Trinity got stronger at doubles with juniors Debra Pelligrino and Danielle Clarke. Our Lady of Mercy again will be the team to beat in Class AA.
Juniors Gina Ciliberti and Alexa Sloane will be the Nos. 1 and 2 singles players for St. John the Baptist. The pair combined to play doubles at the end of last season and qualified for the state federation tournament.
