Blue Devil JV Girls’ Tennis Goes 11-2

The Blue Devil junior varsity girls’ tennis team closed out its season with an 11-2 record. The squad was coached by Huntington High School physical education teacher Eric Mininni and captained by Olivia Kaufman and Grace Oliva.

Freshman Olivia Puccio played in the No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles positions, going 7-0 in singles and 5-0 in doubles. “Olivia had an outstanding year,” Mininni said. “She took on the top players of the other teams and proved to be up to the challenge, winning and frustrating her opponents to no end. Olivia is a terrific athlete and an intelligent player.”

Freshman Bryce Gilroy also alternated between No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles, compiling a 5-0 mark in singles and 7-1 record in doubles. “Bryce has some real potential to be a top varsity player,” Mininni said. “She’s a real hard worker and willing to do whatever is necessary to allow her team get a win.”

Freshman Violet Palacios held down the No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles positions, tallying a record of 4-1 in singles and 7-1 in doubles. “Violet is as cool as they come; nothing fazes her,” Mininni said. “She will take on any challenge and handle it so well no matter the outcome and more often than not she was victorious.”

Sophomore Mia Einemann went 4-1 in No. 2 singles and 6-2 in No. 3 doubles. “Mia is a real intense player who has made major strides this year proving she is varsity material for next year,” Mininni said. “Mia has an awesome serve and great ground strokes.”

Sophomore Angie DiGioia was 4-0 in No. 3 singles and 6-2 in No. 3 doubles. “Andie is the most improved player from last year to this year,” Mininni said. “That is saying lot because she was great last year. Andie really found her confidence this year and believed in herself and it showed on the court, coming up with her best match in our biggest game this year.”

The roster also included Carlotta Baumung, Melanie Freeman-Brown, Emely Herrera Rivas, Alexandra Learned, Natalie Mullaly, Heileen Torres and Mya Williams.

“This was one of the hardest working and intense tennis teams that I have ever had,” Mininni said. “It is a young group that has really impressed everyone. Overall, it was an awesome year with a huge victory over Harborfields. Because we were so young, there will be more players returning than usual. Next year will be an interesting season with so many young talented players and only two seniors graduating from the varsity.”