Section XI delayed the high school girls’ tennis season for six months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but once players took the court it was business as usual. The Huntington High School varsity consisted mostly of underclassmen, which raises hopes for next fall when the sport will return to his traditional time frame.
Junior Tallulah Pitti earned All-County honors after compiling an 8-7 mark in singles and doubles play and advancing to the Section XI individual tournament. “She improved dramatically,” head coach Jamie Fishlow said. Tallulah has the potential to surpass this year’s post-season success. She’s the best player on the team.”
Juniors Alyson Baker and Regan Sansiviero and seniors Nina Drakulich and Lily O’Heir all captured All-League recognition.
The contributions of Drakulich and O’Heir to the team’s success cannot be overstated. The pair served as the Blue Devil captains and both left their mark on the program. “Lily defined team unity and she was willing to play any position with any player,” Fishlow said. “Nina led the team in becoming a cohesive, hardworking unit.”
O’Heir shined in second and third doubles while Drakulich played in the No. 2 singles and No. 2 doubles slots as needed.
Baker and Sansiviero were Huntington’s No. 1 doubles team. “They were mainstays in our doubles lineup and went 5-5 playing together against some of the best teams in the county,” Fishlow said.
Kate Balm, McKenna Buffa, Anna Bell Young, Molly Fallon, Emily Geller and Carleigh Tracy all saw singles play action for the Blue Devils. Daniela Luca, Balm, Buffa, Young, Fallon, Tracy and Geller also took the court for doubles.
The team itself went 4-7 against some of the best squads in Suffolk. “They were dedicated and hardworking and willing to improve and develop new skills,” Fishlow said. “It was a very cohesive and cooperative team. They were fun to be around and very enthusiastic. We were very competitive against all teams in the league.”
The fall season is just around the corner with the first day of practice set for Monday, August 23. The Blue Devils are very optimistic about their prospects for success.
“Everyone returns except two seniors,” Fishlow said. “We will look to make a good showing in a new power league formation. We are ranked fourth in the pre-season. We have a great bunch of sophomores who are looking to make an impact. Our junior varsity team is solid and some JV players might move up to the varsity.”