Syosset Beats Hills East To Win Back-to-Back Long Island Large School Titles
All season long, Syosset’s goal has been to return to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Team Championships and win it this time around.
On Saturday, the Braves moved one step closer to that goal, defeating Hills East 6-1 in the Long Island Large School Championship at Shoreham-Wading River High School.
“I think all of us are really excited for this opportunity,” said junior Julia Isham. “We didn’t do as well at States last year, so we wanted another chance to go back and try to win it for our seniors.”
Isham and her partner Hannah Wang gave Syosset the early lead with their 6-1, 6-1 triumph at third doubles.
“We were able to set up points well,” said Wang. “I stayed consistent at the baseline and Julia was able to put points away at the net.”
The Syosset singles lineup, as it has done throughout the playoffs, came up big for their team, posting straight-set wins on all three courts.
Stephanie Marcheret was a 6-0, 6-2 winner at first singles, Zia Mukherjee won 6-1, 6-4 at second singles, and Shubhangi Pradhan posted a 6-4, 6-3 victory in the third singles spot.
“Overall, our singles lineup is the strongest we’ve had,” said Syosset head coach Shai Fisher. “We always have depth in our doubles, and we now have a great shot to see where stand in the State tournament. Our singles lineup will make a big difference, but we have eight returning players in doubles with experience from last year which will help.”
At fourth doubles, Manasi Pradhan & Kayla Lo delivered a 6-3, 6-2 victory, while Elaine Liu & Selena Wang were 6-0, 6-0 winners at second doubles.
“I think we hyped each other up after every point. This is our first playing doubles together, so we just tried to match each other’s energy,” said Liu.
Liu & Wang didn’t play doubles together during the season, but their win was symbolic of the chemistry up and down the Syosset lineup.
“Our entire team is really close to one another so that makes it easy for us to adjust to having a different doubles partner.”
Hills East’s Samantha Heyman & Emma Wilck won 6-4, 6-1 at first doubles to round out the scoring.
The Braves now advance to the semifinals of the NYSPHSAA Team Championships on Friday, a place it has been three of the last four years. Syosset aims to make this year different, boasting the best singles lineup it has had, and an experienced doubles lineup eager to bring home that elusive state title.
“They know what it takes, and they have been hungry since the first day of tryouts. They keep improving and getting better,” said Fisher. “I think overall as a group we are confident, but we still have to go out there and prove it. They are battle-tested and are looking forward to States. That was the goal before the season, and we’re ready.”
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