Top 30 Long Island girls tennis players for fall 2022
Dasha Perfiliev, left, and doubles partner Ellie Ross of Port Washington, 2021 NYSPHSAA girls tennis state champions, pose for a portrait outside the school in Port Washington on Dec. 2, 2021. Credit: James Escher
A look at the top singles and doubles players in high school girls tennis for the fall of 2022, listed in alphabetical order.
Helped the Hurricanes to the Suffolk large school final in 2021 and won her league singles title. Excels at first singles by combining a strong serve and forehand.
Forces foes to beat her by keeping unforced errors low. Returns after reaching Nassau’s Sweet 16 as a sophomore.
Their skills as singles players make Harborfields a contender for the team title. As a doubles pairing, the added chemistry makes them a huge threat in the Suffolk and state tournaments.
Gershfeld was Newsday’s 2019 Long Island Co-Player of the Year as part of the state champion doubles team. As a singles player last season, she reached the Nassau County semifinals.
Was a 2021 Newsday All-Long Island selection. Returns to defend the N/S CHSAA singles championship.
(Clockwise from left) Nyla Gershfeld of Hewlett, Nicolina Giannola of St. Anthony's, Kira Kronenberg of Ward Melville, Nicolette Loeffler of Cold Spring Harbor.
Each on her own will make the Golden Flashes powerful in team play. They will combine to become a threat in the Suffolk County individual doubles tournament.
Her play as first singles will make the Bulls a tough out in the Suffolk team tournament. Played into the semifinals of the 2021 county individual championships.
One of the big reasons Ward Melville is a contender for the Suffolk team title. She was a semifinalist at county individuals, reached the state Sweet 16 and was named to the 2021 All-State team.
Newcomer to high school tennis already is playing first singles for the Blazers. Extends points by keeping unforced errors low and wins them with mental toughness.
Loeffler’s unexpected run to the Nassau singles championship match earned her a spot on Newsday’s 2021 All-Long Island team. It would be no surprise if she makes another run at the title this season.
One of the great individual talents on the Island, she won the Suffolk singles championship a year ago. After reaching the state quarterfinals, she was selected to Newsday’s All-Long Island team.
The defending Long Island large schools champion and state runner-up is a contender again with her now playing first singles. As a freshman, she reached the quarterfinals at the Nassau County individual championships with her arsenal of different shots.
(Clockwise from left) Victoria Matos of Longwood, Zia Mukherjee of Syosset, Devon Serkes of Sacred Heart, Dasha Perfiliev and Ellie Ross of Port Washington, Emilia Romano of Bayport-Blue Point.
The Thunderbirds will contend for the Suffolk team title because of depth that includes Czoch at first singles and Neuman as part of the first doubles team. They should be a force a doubles pairing in the Suffolk and state tourneys .
A dynamo who covers the court well, she battled through injuries in 2021 to reach a second straight semifinal in the Suffolk County individuals. Was selected to the New York all-state team.
The Newsday 2021 Nassau County Co-Players of the Year after winning the state doubles championship. Perfiliev has a career record of 59-4 in singles and doubles for the Vikings, and Ross is 67-5. They will be first and second singles in team play, where they were a combined 28-2 last season, and will team to defend their state crown.
The Pirates’ top singles player boasts a powerful serve and forehand. Raikos reached the Nassau County singles quarterfinals last season.
Dazzles with her racket speed and the pace on her shot. Puts people away with her athleticism and footwork. Was in the Sweet 16 at 2021 Suffolk individuals and is expected to go deeper.
Her unorthodox style makes her a contender for the Catholic singles title. She is equally adroit winning points from the baseline or at the net.
From left: Isabella Sha of Frienda Academy, Julia Stabile of Westhampton, Andrea Vases of Manhasset.
Sha was a 2021 Newsday All-Long Island selection and returns to defend her Nassau County singles title. She was a semifinalist in the state tournament last fall.
A 2021 Newsday All-Long Island selection after teaming with her sister to win the Suffolk County individual doubles championship. Will use consistency and confidence in a quest to win the county singles title this season.
An X-factor as she enters her first season of high school tennis for a formidable Ravens team. Already is considered a five-star recruit by colleges.
Has quiet fearlessness and plays strong on the baseline but isn’t afraid to come to the net. Reached the quarterfinals at the 2021 Nassau County individual championships.
Each stands as an excellent singles player, but together they have to be considered a contender for a state championship. The duo teamed in 2021 and reached the Nassau individual doubles championship match and finished sixth overall in the state tournament.
Was selected all-state as a freshman. After reaching the semifinals at the 2021 Nassau individual championships, she must be considered a contender for a county title.
Battled an ACL injury in 2021 but still went undefeated at second singles. Moves up to first singles this season and could be a dangerous opponent in the county individuals.
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
