2026 Long Island Girls’ High School Preview
The end of summer doesn’t only mean the start of the U.S. Open, but also that a new year of girls’ high school tennis is almost here on Long Island.
Last year, Long Island was home to both New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Champions, with Bayport-Blue Point capturing the Division 2 title, and Syosset bringing home the Division 1 crown.
Now it’s time to look ahead to the 2025 season. Long Island Tennis Magazine has broken down some of the players and teams to watch, and also included is the key scheduling dates this fall as we prepare for another great season.
All players and dates are subject to change
Nassau County Teams to Watch
Syosset
Last year, Syosset captured the program’s first girls tennis state title, and will be out to defend that championship as we head into the fall. The Braves are the three-time defending Long Island Large School (Division 1) champions and three-time defending Nassau County Champions, and have the roster built to continue that dominance. It will have to do so without graduating senior Stephanie Marcheret, the Nassau singles champion, last year’s co-captain Julia Isham as well as Skyler Lin who played second singles a year ago. Hannah Wang, who played primarily in the third singles spot last fall, will play a large role in the singles lineup, as will seventh grader Juliette Prince who will be making her varsity debut this season. Syosset always possesses immense depth including Tiffany Cai, Diya Varma, Selena Wang, Shubu Pradhan, Kayla Kim, Kayla Lo and more to compile one of the deepest and talented rosters on all of Long Island.
Port Washington
Port Washington returns all but one starter from last year’s Nassau County runners-up team which leaves the Vikings with high expectations this fall. Sophomore Briana Lewis is back to anchor the singles lineup, as is senior Evie Loewy. Together, the two won the Nassau County doubles title and finished fifth in the state tournament, and will lead the way in singles play for Port Washington. Seniors Christiana Kent & Shoriya Bhat-Bhandarkar were the third place finishers in the Nassau County doubles tournament and return alongside fellow seniors Ruby Siskind, Peri Cooper and Siena McGuffin, and junior twins Jamesy and Lila Hershman. Eighth-grader Vanessa Wang will lead a talented group of young players that will help bolster a Port Washington lineup with its sights set on a county title.
Herricks
If Herricks is to make a deep playoff run this fall, it will rely on its talented group of young players. Sophomores Cassidy Chu and Samantha Liu anchor the lineup, and will be helped out by freshman Sharini Nigam as well as returning starters such as Catherine Zhang, Emma Wong, and Grace Kang as Herricks looks to build off of a successful 2025 season and have high aspirations for this season. .
 Manhasset
Manhasset advanced to the quarterfinals in the Nassau County playoffs a year ago and has plans on making a deeper run this fall. If it is to do so, Manhasset will lean on its talented youth to carry them. Leading the way will be Kristen Maurischat who will anchor the singles lineup, as well as eighth-grader Maya Rajpal. The two girls played second and third singles, respectively, in 2025 and will each move up a spot with outgoing senior Diane Durante vacating first singles. In addition, Audrey Wu, Ellen Zhao, Lucy Kauftheil and Naya Shah will be back to help form a lineup that can compete with anyone in the County.
 Garden City
The Garden City Trojans are a team that is poised to play deep into the season this fall, and build on a successful 2025 campaign that saw it reach the quarterfinals. Junior Chelsea Ching will top the lineup and use her immense varsity experience to lead a team that has experienced depth pieces, as well as talented freshmen Maya Wiese and Ava Bravo helping to formulate an impressive singles trio. If Garden City can get good play from its doubles teams, the Trojans will be a threat late in the season.
 Nassau County Additional Players to Watch
→Lilliana Chou, Division
→Chloe Gross, Roslyn
→Daisy Lichtenstein, Roslyn
→Sarika Prabhakar, Wheatley
→Dhriti Reddy Pylla, Jericho
Nassau County Key Dates
(these dates are tentative. Check LITennisMag.com/Events for up-to-date information)
Regular Season Begins – Thursday, September 3
Regular Season Ends – Monday, October 5
County Individual Tournament – Saturday-Sunday, October 10-11
Team Playoffs Begin – Tuesday, October 6
Small School Championship – Tuesday, October 20
Large School Championship – Wednesday, October 21
LI Small School Championship – Friday, October 23
LI Large School Championship – Saturday, October 24
NYS Individual Championships – Monday, October 26 – Wednesday, October 28
NYS Team Championships – Friday, November 6
Suffolk County Teams to Watch
Bayport-Blue Point
Over the last couple of seasons, the Phantoms of Bayport-Blue Point have established itself as a tennis powerhouse on Long Island. Winners of the last two Long Island Small School (Division 2) titles, Bayport-Blue Point completed its dream season last year by claiming the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Division 2 title. Now, with essentially the same roster back this fall, the expectations are to defend those titles. Leading the way will be Suffolk singles champion Lily Castka who is out to finish her high school career on top. Evie Romano, a two-time all-state doubles player also returns to anchor a lineup that boasts an array of championship experience including Jordana Heller, Leila Rogers, Julie Wellems, Eden Romano and Maddie Castka.
Ross School
The biggest competition for the Phantoms in the last couple of years have been the Ravens of the Ross School. Returning to guide them back to a deep run in the Suffolk County Small School playoffs is last year’s Suffolk doubles champions, Lillie Weiss & Lola Dangin, two of the county’s top players. Brooke Saracco and Olivia Caruso will also return and bring their varsity experience to the table, and Luma Teixeira will be back this year to anchor the singles lineup while the Ravens hope to get key contributions from young and upcoming talent such as Vivienne Anton.
Hills East
The label of three-time defending Suffolk County Large School Champions belongs to Hills East, and the Red Hawks will be in full pursuit of its fourth straight. Hills East has been the top team in the county and has established itself as the benchmark of success so its players are used to competing in high-leverage situations. That includes Myrah Galhotra, Zoey Grochow, Kayla Grochow and Avery Sherman, among others, and are prepared to make another deep run in the Large School playoffs to finally reach the state championships this season.
Westhampton Beach
Westhampton Beach came up just short of representing Suffolk County in the Long Island Large School Championship last fall, and Hurricanes are excited for the opportunity to try and get there this season. A determining factor in their success will be the play of eighth-grader Riley Magner, who enters this season with the highest UTR on her team, and is slated to play first singles. Gabriela Arango & Zoe Grellet-Almont were all-state doubles players last season and will provide valuable experience, as will Madeline Montgomery, as the Hurricanes hope to get back to the state playoffs.
 William Floyd
A top four finisher in the Suffolk County Large School playoffs in 2025, the Colonials have made the playoffs in 23 straight seasons, and have their sights set on a 24th straight postseason berth this fall. A senior-led lineup will be at the helm of that push, including the county doubles runners-up, Anabel Van Cott & Lydia Van Cott, who earned all-state honors, as well as Gianna Martin, who earned all-county honors. Seniors Tatiana Sanchez and Rylie Wiegand, as well as junior Khloe Dimaio, were all-division honorees in 2025, and bolster a lineup capable of making a deep run in the Suffolk large school playoffs.
Suffolk County Players to Watch
++Aya Deckman, Harborfields
++Ava Hagerdorn, Northport
++Ema Villacreses, Sachem
++Sofia Matos, Longwood
++Sofia Perez, Mt. Sinai
++Sara Zaniel, Kings Park
Suffolk County Key Dates
 (these dates are tentative. Check LITennisMag.com/Events for up-to-date information)
Regular Season Begins – Wednesday, September 2
Regular Season Ends – Wednesday, October 7
Divisional Individual Tournament – Saturday-Wednesday, October 10 – October 14
County Individual Tournament – Saturday-Tuesday, October 17-20
Team Playoffs Begin – Thursday, October 8
Small School Championship – Thursday, October 15
Large School Championship – Friday, October 23
LI Small School Championship – Friday, October 23
LI Large School Championship – Saturday, October 24
NYS Individual Championships – Monday, October 26 – Wednesday, October 28
NYS Team Championships – Friday, November 6
