Blue Devil Girls’ Tennis Celebrates Conference I Crown

It was another glorious fall season for the Huntington varsity girls’ tennis team, which after graduating most of its starting lineup last June was thought to be headed toward a rebuilding year. Not so. The Blue Devils won the Conference I championship, amassing 11 victories without defeat.

Head coach Jamie Fishlow has been at the helm of Huntington for 37 years and this team’s record is the best he has ever recorded. The conference title was also a first for Fishlow. The Blue Devils defeated four strong conference rivals by 4-3 scores, including Half Hollow Hills East for the first time since 2010.

Trailing 3-2 against Hills East “our 3rd doubles of Andie DeGioia and Bryce Gilroy won 4-6,6-2,6-3 and 4th doubles of Violet Palacios and Juliet Johnson won 6-2, 5-7, 6-4,” Fishlow recounted. Another highlight came against Harborfields. With the score knotted 3-3, No. 3 doubles Fiona Lynch and Grace Callery captured a 7-6 victory.

“Everyone on the team played a role on any given day in our success this season,” Fishlow said. “The team was highly competitive and came through many times in the clutch when it was needed. They handled the stress that comes with an undefeated season very well. They practiced hard and were highly coachable. They were a team of great personalities, were fun to be around and were a pleasure to coach every day. It was too bad we did not go further into the playoffs, but they handled the loss with grace and maturity. We were all sad to see it end but this team gained so much more than winning the county championship. Their work ethic, friendships and camaraderie was unmatched and our life lessons will be something they can carry with them forever. It was an honor to be their coach.”

The Blue Devils were led by:

Amanda Ganley: Senior; 1st Singles/1st Doubles; 12-1 record

Olivia Puccio: Junior; 3rd Singles, 3rd Doubles; 12-0 record

Grace Kline: Senior; Doubles; 9-3 record

Kate Gordon: Senior; 2nd Singles, 1st Doubles; 9-4 record

Andie DeGioia: Senior; 3rd and 4th Doubles; 8-3 record

Grace Callery: Senior; 1st and 2nd Doubles; 8-4 record

Juliet Johnson: Junior 3rd and 4th Doubles; 7-3 record

Mia Einemann; Senior; Singles and doubles; 7-6 record

Bryce Gilroy: Junior; Singles and Doubles; 7-2 record

Violet Palacios: Junior; Doubles; 5-3 record

Fiona Lynch: Senior; 1st and 2nd Doubles; 8-3 record

Ella Palatnek: Senior; 1st and 2nd Doubles; 6-4 record

Additional players included Natalie Mullaly, Sophia Curley, Kiera Lynch and Abby Arelt.

Here is what Fishlow had to say about his top players:

Amanda Ganley: Dominant in 1st singles. Consistent with strong work ethic and positive attitude. Kate Gordon: Worked very hard to improve her game and skill level. Leader of the team.

Grace Kline: Willing to play anywhere she was asked for the sake of the team.

Olivia Puccio: Undefeated in the lower part of our lineup. Serve her role on the team very well. Fiona Lynch and Grace Callery: Formed a strong senior doubles team with experience.

Andie DeGioia and Juliet Johnson: 1st year varsity doubles players who brought a strong competitive fire to the team.

Mia Einemann and Ella Palatnek: Formed a dynamic doubles team who won some big matches. Bryce Gilroy: Played her role on the team to perfection. Great teammate.

Violet Palacios: 1st year on varsity. Displayed great improvement on the court especially her net play.

Fishlow said the team’s goals for next fall include: “Keep high numbers of players on team; Improve skill levels of players; Advance past quarterfinals of team tournament; Have singles and doubles advance to county tournament; Win Conference I.”

Looking ahead to next fall, Bryce Gilroy, Juliet Johnson, Olivia Puccio and Violet Palacios will be returning seniors next year from the starting lineup. “It will be challenging to replace our eight graduates but with some talent on the JV moving up we should still be playoff contenders,” Fishlow said. “The conference is always strong but we are building a good tradition with a strong foundation so I expect that we will be competitive.”