Nyack Edges TZ for Three-Peat in Pearl River Tennis Tournament

At the end of a long day where the participants arrived before 8:30 in the morning and the outcome wasn’t decided until almost 5 p.m., the Nyack girls’ tennis team emerged victorious in the annual Pearl River Tennis Tournament for the third consecutive year. 

For the initial time in the event’s history, two schools actually finished in a tie for the top spot.  Nyack and Tappan Zee each won 123 games, but the Indians took home the title by virtue of losing only 47 games while Dutchies lost 53.  Pearl River took third place with 95 games won.

“The Pearl River Tournament is always a great day," Nyack Coach Mike Hughes said. "Our girls are close with the other teams and see them all the time. They all have a lot of friends on the other team.  But they are competitors and take pride in playing. They want to win. We have four seniors who have now won this tournament for the third straight season. Pearl River does a wonderful job and it is a great event.”

Kristin Quill of Nanuet won the singles title and Nyack's team of Klarissa Amada and Madigan Graham were victorious in first doubles. Nyack took top honors in each flight of the doubles competition. 

Nanuet won 81 games followed by East Ramapo (56). and Albertus Magnus (45) rounded out the team scoring.

Pearl River Coach Joan Smith found her Lady Pirates playing short-handed after losing her top two singles players, Elina Arakelyan and Shannon McGuinness to injuries.

“I am generally pleased with my team," Smith said. "We medaled in five flights and that exemplifies our depth.  Stacey Wang moved up to first singles and finished fourth. I am especially happy with Lauren Finer who played at third singles and won second place.”

Scott Silver, coach of runner up TZ was also very pleased with his team’s performance. 

“I am very proud of my team," Silver said. "I am proud of the way they represent themselves on and off the court and the way they go about their lives in everything that they do.  I am not surprised they have found success on the tennis court.” 

After inclement weather washed out the scheduled opening day on Friday, extensive work had to be performed on the courts to get them ready for play. That meant  competition didn’t begin until after 11 a.m. Saturday.  The unique tournament format was slightly amended to be completed in one session. 

Play took place in seven flights encompassing first, second and third singles and first doubles through fourth doubles.  Each player or team played a round-robin schedule against the other schools in League 4B.

Normally each player or team plays a standard set (first participant to win six games is the winner), but on Saturday the sets were
shortened to first player to win four games. The total number of games won by each school’s singles players and doubles teams determined the tournament champion.

“It was a rainy start but all the participants were very patient with the delay and the modified format," Smith said. "It was fun. My goal was to get the tournament in and see smiles on the girl’s faces.  I saw a lot of smiles.”

FINAL TEAM STANDINGS

1st Place: Nyack - 124 games won, 47 games lost
2nd Place: Tappan Zee - 124 games won, 53 games lost
3rd Place: Pearl River - 95 games won
4th Place: Nanuet - 81 games won
5th Place: East Ramapo - 56 games won
6th Place: Albertus Magnus - 45 games won

FLIGHT WINNERS

First Singles: Kristin Quill, Nanuet
Second Singles: Sara O’Brien, Tappan Zee
Third Singles: Stephany Choi, Tappan Zee
First Doubles: Klarissa Armada/Madigan Graham, Nyack
Second Doubles: Emily Farrugia/Christina Tan, Nyack
Third Doubles: Charlotte Buck/Olivia Blinn, Nyack
Fourth Doubles: Cecile Garfunkel/Tara Blinn, Nyack