The Manhasset High School Girls Varsity Tennis Team accomplished the rare feat of an undefeated season 17-0 and back-to-back titles with a 5-2 victory over Cold Spring Harbor in the Nassau County Championships on Oct. 23 at Eisenhower Park.
The championship capped off an incredible run dating back to last year, when the team also won the County Championship for the first time in 25 years, after finishing runner-up in 2013.
“The last time Manhasset had back-to-back championships in girls tennis was 1983-84, and it was never done with an undefeated team before,” said Coach Eileen Cuneo. “This is a very special accomplishment. Repeat championships are always harder than winning the first time because expectations are raised, and not only did the team meet expectations, they exceeded with an undefeated, perfect season.”
The championship team consisted of singles players Amanda Foo, Stephanie Petras and Brooke DiGia. Doubles players included Lia Frankis and Kyleigh Harmon; Alina Zhitnik and Yaya Wang; Grace Catlett and Caprice Catalano; and Samantha Guagliardo and Reed Pelton.
In the Nassau County individual tournament the previous week, Manhasset entered three doubles teams and all three secured victories through the quarterfinals to achieve All County designation. Amanda Foo paired with Lia Frankis to reach the finals; Brooke DiGia and Kyleigh Harmon reached the semifinals; and Grace Catlett and Alina Zhitnik reached the quarterfinals. Foo and Frankis also achieved All State honors.
“The number of All County players is unprecedented,” said Cuneo. “To have four All County and two All State is amazing. We had the most entries as a school because of our team’s success this season.”
Cuneo added, “The spirit of these players matches their skill set. They support each other, both on and off the court, and they root for each other and inspire each other. I’m really proud of this team.”
