Linder and Kallenberg Win Nassau County Doubles Title

October 21, 2013 | By Brian Coleman
COUNTIES2
Photo credit: Brian Coleman

The 2013 Nassau County Girls Tennis Championships came to a close on Sunday afternoon as the third-seeded doubles team of Ally Linder & Liz Kallenberg of Port Washington defeated the top seeds from Syosset, Rhea Malhotra & Katie Cirella in the doubles final. The match was tighter than the score indicated, but Linder & Kallenberg were able to win in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, to capture the 2013 Nassau County Doubles Championship.

Early on in the match, it was evident why these two pairs were in the County Championship. Each point consisted of long, well-played rallies, few mistakes and hard-earned points.

In the first set, the teams exchanged the opening six games. At 3-3, Port Washington was able to break serve and eventually win the set 6-4.The girls from Port seemed to seize control of the match in the second set. After the Syosset pair went up 2-1 following an overhead from Malholtra, Port Washington took control of the net and won the final five games to secure the victory.

“I think we played really well,” said Linder. “We were consistent and mixed up our shots well.”

Both teams qualified for the New York State Tournament in Latham, N.Y. beginning Nov. 2.

Garden City’s Brittany Burke & Hannah Eilbeck defeated Suzanne Silecchia & Nikki Huhulea of South Side in the third-place match and will also be heading upstate. Burke and Eilbeck won a hard fought match in three sets 6-3, 5-7, 7-5.

The top four teams (all semifinalists) were named All-State.

As for the goal for the three teams up at States, it's pretty simple according to Kallenberg, “Our goal is to go up there and beat whoever we play!”

 Credit all photos to Brian Coleman

 

The 2013 doubles finalists Rhea Malhotra & Katie Cirella from Syosset congratulate winners Ally Linder & Liz Kallenberg of Port Washington

 

The top four doubles teams (All-State) of Suzanne Silecchia & Nikki Huhulea of South Side, Garden City’s Brittany Burke & Hannah Eilbeck, Syosset's Rhea Malhotra & Katie Cirella, and Ally Linder & Liz Kallenberg of Port Washington


Brian Coleman
Senior Editor, Long Island Tennis Magazine
Brian Coleman is the Senior Editor for Long Island Tennis Magazine. He may be reached at brianc@usptennis.com.
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