Westhampton’s Hayes Defends Suffolk Singles Crown

Islip’s senior duo take doubles title

October 22, 2019 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Rose Hayes

 

The sophomore slump doesn’t apply to Rose Hayes.

A year after winning the Suffolk County singles title in her freshman year at Westhampton

Beach, Hayes defended her title and won a second consecutive county championship with a 6-0, 6-2 victory over Commack’s Kady Tannenbaum.

“I served really well, I think, and just stayed consistent,” Hayes said when asked the keys to her success were. “It feels pretty nice to win counties again.”

Hayes’ serve was working for her as she suffered just one break of serve throughout the match, and made sure to pressure Tannenbaum’s serve from start to finish in order to seize control of the match. 

After racing through the first set, she was broken early on in the second set, but immediately broke back to ensure that Tannenbaum wasn’t able to grab any momentum. 

“I’m disappointed in my game today, but see it as a good experience and I hope to build on this at the state tournament,” said Tannenbaum. 

Hayes now hopes to build off of her quarterfinal result that she achieved last year at the NYSPHSAA Championships.

“The goal is to try to repeat what I did last year, and try to do more,” she said.

In addition to Hayes, Tannenbaum will be heading to the state tournament, as will third place finisher Andriana Zaphiris of Hauppauge, who defeated Connetquot’s Andrea Brazyte 6-3, 6-2 in the consolation match.

“I tried my best to stay focused and push through even though I wasn’t playing my best,” said Zaphiris. “My goal is to play consistent and do well throughout states and beyond.”

Islip seniors Maddie Germano and Darienne Rogers came back from a set down to defeat Jade Eggleston and Kira Kronenberg of Ward Melville 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 and win the Suffolk doubles title. 

 

Despite falling behind early, Germano and Rogers edged out a win in the second set tiebreaker before raising their level in the third set and win the county championship.

“The biggest game-changer for us was our attitudes coming out of the first set,” said Germano. “Even though we lost it, we knew we were still in the match and we would make it go to three sets. After winning the second set, there was no doubt in our minds that we would come out on top.”

Also heading to the state tournament to represent Suffolk County will be the Half Hollow Hills East pairing of Alexis Huber and Skylar Semon and Westhampton Beach’s Rose Peruso and Jen Curran. 

 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Century
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