Syosset Defeats Hills East To Win Third Straight LI Title

The Syosset Braves are headed back to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Team Championships after winning its third straight Long Island Large School (Division 1) Title with a 6-1 victory over Hills East.

On a windy Saturday morning on the courts of Cold Spring Harbor High School, Syosset moved one step closer to its ultimate goal of a State title by winning six of the seven flights against the Red Hawks. 

“Every season, and every team, has its own story, and this one is as memorable and important as the others,” said Syosset head coach Shai Fisher. “When some girls graduate, we have new girls come into the lineup. Because it’s so new to the younger players, they bring a different kind of energy, and it really gets the rest of the team pumped up.”

One of those younger players is eighth-grader Skyler Lin, who won 6-0, 6-0 at second singles.

“I wasn’t on the team last year so it’s definitely new, but I love playing with this team,” Lin said. “A lot of people are cheering for you, and also relying on you to win, and that sort of pressure really helps me.”

Lin provided one of the three singles victories for Syosset, as Hannah Wang notched a 6-0, 6-0 win at third singles, and Nassau County singles champion Stephanie Marcheret was a 6-3, 6-4 winner at first singles.

“We have always had good depth, and this year’s singles lineup might be the strongest we’ve had, and that takes the pressure off the rest of our lineup,” Fisher added.

Another newcomer to this year’s team, Tiffany Cai, paired with Selena Wang to win 6-2, 6-2 at first doubles, which clinched the match for Syosset. 

Cai & Wang did not play together much during the season, but teaming together for the Long Island Championship and being successful was indicative of Syosset’s chemistry.

“Our whole team is so connected so our coach knows that we can all play with anyone,” said Wang.

Cai added:

“This is my first year on the team and I’m just really happy to play a role. Our coach knows whoever he puts in the lineup, we can come through.”

At second doubles, Kayla Kim & Siya Mehta notched a 7-6(3), 6-2 victory at third doubles, while the fourth doubles tandem of Lulu Bi & Lumi Park won 7-6(2), 6-1 to round out the Syosset scoring.

The senior pairing Christina Zhao & Jayden Seff closed out their careers at Hills East with a 6-4, 4-6, [10-3] win at second doubles. 

Syosset will play Section V champion Pittsford Mendon in the NYSPHSAA semifinals, set for Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. 

“They are motivated. We’ll take a few days off and get back to it,” Fisher said. “They’ll be ready and focused, and looking to take the State title.”