SHS Girls Tennis Team Gives It Their Best

This hasn’t been an easy year for the Scarsdale Girls Varsity A Tennis Team. The girls tennis team has an imposing history. Undefeated in their league for many years there’s a large display of banners in the gym that attest to the team’s supremacy season after season. However, unlike most team sports, the tennis team’s success is dependent on the talent of the students who come out for the team. Experienced players often start out young, taking lessons and playing in tournaments well before they get to SHS. Some of the community’s most talented players don’t even come out for the team – preferring to use their time to play tournaments and work on their rankings.

So though Coach Roane can select the best talent from the pool, encourage the players and set the line-up, once on the court the girls are on their own. And this is not to say that this year’s team is without talent – in fact there are many skilled players on the team and it’s hard to put your finger on exactly what has gone wrong this season. As of Monday October 3rd, the team’s record was 1 win and 4 losses in the league and 2 wins and 5 losses overall. The match against Mamaroneck on Monday October 3rd was called due to rain but looked promising before the clouds rolled in.

Team Captains Michelle Furnari and Jenna Karp are seniors and veterans. Michelle, a four-year varsity player is a tournament level competitor and is playing first singles. She looks energetic and confident on the court and in Monday’s match against Mamaroneck she breezed by Sarah Yakelis 6-3, 6-2, finishing well before the rain began. Senior Chloe Kaufman has returned to the team after taking a hiatus during her junior year and is also playing singles along with sophomore Adrienne Travis who played second singles in Monday’s match and was off the court quickly, winning 6-2, 6-0. Sophomore Lindsay Rokito played third singles on Monday and will resume her match when it is rescheduled.

The doubles teams have had mixed success this season, with many matches ending in stressful super tie breakers. Seniors Jenna Karp and

Stephanie Henkoff played first doubles for most of the season – but Coach Roane switched it up for the Mamaroneck match and paired Karp with junior Shelby Zucker and put Henkoff on the second court with junior Jessie Somekh. Roane was hoping that the realignment would bring wins on the first and second courts. Playing third doubles are juniors Alexandra Emmerman and Caroline Pitofsky who are working on their game and will have more court time next season.

On the fourth court sisters and twins Colette and Carine Torres have moved up to Varsity A this year from Varsity B where they played as freshmen. They report that they started playing seriously in sixth grade and are enjoying playing together. They follow in the footsteps of the Rokito twins who graduated last year and played for the Varsity team for several years. New to the team this year are two freshmen cousins -- Carolyn Zelicof and Kate Rabin who are playing doubles together. They are energetic and savvy on the court and sure to lead the team to success in future years.

Though the regular season is almost over, Coach Roane does expect to take several teams of girls to the sectionals. We will continue to follow their progress and wish them good luck!

Pictured at top: Adrienne Travis and Michelle Furnari

Thanks to team manager Corey Baumer and team mascot Yogi for their assistance with this article.