Division’s Chou Completes Dominant Run To Win New York State Singles Title

Lilliana Chou capped off an incredible run at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Individual Championships on Wednesday morning, as the Division High School junior defeated Roslyn’s Clare Seo 6-0, 6-0 to claim the state singles title inside the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. 

Throughout the tournament, Chou dropped only five games in her five matches, and losing none in both her semifinal and final victories. 

“It means a lot,” Chou said of winning the State title. “I’ve been kind of working towards this since the first time I stepped on court at Counties in eighth grade. To do this now is really special.”

Making the title that much more special was how difficult last year’s State run was for her. She reached the quarterfinals in 2025, but an injury forced her to withdraw from the remaining rounds. 

“That was really tough, and it took a few months of physical therapy, and a lot of recovery to get back finally win it this year,” said Chou. 

After capturing the Nassau County title earlier this month, Chou carried that momentum into the state tournament. In Wednesday’s final, Chou overcame a marathon opening game to hold serve, and never looked back. 

“I think moving her around a lot worked well, I tried to use some short angle shots and then some high balls to switch up the levels,” said Chou. “It was definitely a tough match [despite the score]. She’s a a really fun player to watch, an aggressive baseliner who hits pretty flat and low over the net, so I think bending more on my own shots, and giving her a lower ball worked.”

Chou was already the most decorated player in Division tennis history, and now brings a New York State title back to her school. 

“She came to us as an eighth-grader, and was very quiet, but you knew right away there was going to be something special here,” said Division head coach Kelly Glenn. “The work she has put in over the past year, and the way she balances her academics with being a part of our team, but also her outside tennis, she is an inspiration to the rest of our team.”

A big difference Glenn noticed in Chou’s game from last year to this, was her improved mental game.

“She has grown so much mentally since last year, and has matured a lot. I noticed that right away when she came in this season. Staying positive and not getting down on herself, I think that was a big reason for her ability to get through these few days. We are just extremely proud of her.”