Blue Devils Enjoy Success on Tennis Courts

Sabrina Boyle and Mia Kaufman played their way to All-County honors as the Huntington varsity girls’ tennis team overcame injuries to win 10 meets and establish itself as one of Suffolk’s best squads.

Coached by Jamie Fishlow and captained by Isabella Palacios and Vincenza Garofalo, the Blue Devils reached the Suffolk team tournament quarterfinals, where it fell to eventual county champion Half Hollow Hills East, 5-2.

Huntington played seven meets that ended in 4-3 scores with the Blue Devils going 5-2. “We held up well in strong competition,” Fishlow said. The team’s 10-5 record was its best in many years.

“What a fantastic team to coach,” Fishlow said. “We had great numbers, which enhanced our internal team competition. Although we were very young, they came through to win many tough matches. They were eager to learn with very positive attitudes. It was a close knit team that was very cooperative. We had the best sportsmanship in the county. I enjoyed coaching them every day. I am very proud of captains Vincenza Garofalo and Isabella Palacios, who were great leaders of this team.”

Boyle compiled a 21-3 overall record in No. 1 singles with Kaufman going 18-3 in the No. 2 singles position. California transfer Madeleine Kalenderian was 7-3 in No. 3 singles.

A three sport star, Boyle transferred to Huntington High School last winter and “stepped into the top spot and exceeded all expectations,” Fishlow said. “She has a great overall game combined with top level competiveness and athletic ability. She’s never out of a match and has a strong desire to win.”

Boyle’s runner-up finish in the Suffolk singles tournament was the highest place by a Huntington girls’ tennis player in the county tournament since 2015.

“She’s wonderful to coach,” Fishlow said. “Sabrina had one of the greatest comebacks in my career. In the Division 1 semifinals she won a match 0-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) and was down 5-2 in the last set.

Kaufman is a junior and is already a four year starter at singles. “She’s a crafty player with all the shots,” Fishlow said. “She can vary her style of play when needed. I could count on her experience in all our big matches.”

Fiona Lynch and Ella Palatnek formed a potent fourth doubles partnership were “very reliable and came up big some three set matches,” Fishlow said.

Praise was lavished on the entire roster. “The players in the upper doubles positions were often playing the best players from the other teams, which made it very challenging for them to have a strong record,” Fishlow said. “However, what they lacked in victories they gained in experience that will benefit them in the future.”

The Blue Devils are only losing two seniors to graduation. “We are looking for next year’s seniors Bridget Callery, Madi Kalenderian, Mia Kaufman, Naomi Lyons, Isabella Palacios, Emma Polinsky and Valentina Puccio to step up and take us further into the playoffs with the help of future juniors Grace Callery, Amanda Ganley, Kate Gordon, Grace Kline, Fiona Lynch and Ella Palatnek,” Fishlow said. “We also have some fine players from the JV team who are hungry to step up and challenge the starting line-up. I’m looking to taking it up a notch in the division standings and county tournament.”

Kaufman, Palacios, Kalenderian, Lynch, Palatnek, Bridget Callery, Naomi Lyons, Emma Polinsky and Valentina Puccio are being looked to “step up and take us further into the playoffs