Top 30 Long Island girls tennis players for fall 2022
Dasha Perfiliev, left, and doubles partner Ellie Ross of Port Washington, 2021 NYSPHSAA girls tennis state champions, pose for a portrait outside the school in Port Washington on Dec. 2, 2021. Credit: James Escher
A look at the top singles and doubles players in high school girls tennis for the fall of 2022, listed in alphabetical order.
Matilda Buchen, Westhampton, Soph.
Helped the Hurricanes to the Suffolk large school final in 2021 and won her league singles title. Excels at first singles by combining a strong serve and forehand.
Kayla Castellano, Garden City, Jr.
Forces foes to beat her by keeping unforced errors low. Returns after reaching Nassau’s Sweet 16 as a sophomore.
Victoria Frangione and Isabella Frangione, Harborfields, Srs.
Their skills as singles players make Harborfields a contender for the team title. As a doubles pairing, the added chemistry makes them a huge threat in the Suffolk and state tournaments.
Nyla Gershfeld, Hewlett, Jr.
Gershfeld was Newsday’s 2019 Long Island Co-Player of the Year as part of the state champion doubles team. As a singles player last season, she reached the Nassau County semifinals.
Nicolina Giannola, St. Anthony’s, Sr.
Was a 2021 Newsday All-Long Island selection. Returns to defend the N/S CHSAA singles championship.
(Clockwise from left) Nyla Gershfeld of Hewlett, Nicolina Giannola of St. Anthony's, Kira Kronenberg of Ward Melville, Nicolette Loeffler of Cold Spring Harbor.
Sara Jaklitsch and Kylie Person, Sayville, Sr./Jr.
Each on her own will make the Golden Flashes powerful in team play. They will combine to become a threat in the Suffolk County individual doubles tournament.
Anya Konopka, Smithtown East, Soph.
Her play as first singles will make the Bulls a tough out in the Suffolk team tournament. Played into the semifinals of the 2021 county individual championships.
Kira Kronenberg, Ward Melville, Sr.
One of the big reasons Ward Melville is a contender for the Suffolk team title. She was a semifinalist at county individuals, reached the state Sweet 16 and was named to the 2021 All-State team.
Madison Lee, Great Neck South, Fr.
Newcomer to high school tennis already is playing first singles for the Blazers. Extends points by keeping unforced errors low and wins them with mental toughness.
Nicolette Loeffler, Cold Spring Harbor, Sr.
Loeffler’s unexpected run to the Nassau singles championship match earned her a spot on Newsday’s 2021 All-Long Island team. It would be no surprise if she makes another run at the title this season.
Victoria Matos, Longwood, Sr.
One of the great individual talents on the Island, she won the Suffolk singles championship a year ago. After reaching the state quarterfinals, she was selected to Newsday’s All-Long Island team.
Zia Mukherjee, Syosset, Soph.
The defending Long Island large schools champion and state runner-up is a contender again with her now playing first singles. As a freshman, she reached the quarterfinals at the Nassau County individual championships with her arsenal of different shots.
(Clockwise from left) Victoria Matos of Longwood, Zia Mukherjee of Syosset, Devon Serkes of Sacred Heart, Dasha Perfiliev and Ellie Ross of Port Washington, Emilia Romano of Bayport-Blue Point.
Rachel Neuman and Victoria Czoch, Half Hollow Hills East, Srs.
The Thunderbirds will contend for the Suffolk team title because of depth that includes Czoch at first singles and Neuman as part of the first doubles team. They should be a force a doubles pairing in the Suffolk and state tourneys .
Maria Perez, Middle Country, Jr.
A dynamo who covers the court well, she battled through injuries in 2021 to reach a second straight semifinal in the Suffolk County individuals. Was selected to the New York all-state team.
Darian ‘Dasha’ Perfiliev and Ellie Ross, Port Washington, Srs.
The Newsday 2021 Nassau County Co-Players of the Year after winning the state doubles championship. Perfiliev has a career record of 59-4 in singles and doubles for the Vikings, and Ross is 67-5. They will be first and second singles in team play, where they were a combined 28-2 last season, and will team to defend their state crown.
Alex Raikos, Mepham, Soph.
The Pirates’ top singles player boasts a powerful serve and forehand. Raikos reached the Nassau County singles quarterfinals last season.
Emilia Romano, Bayport-Blue Point, Soph.
Dazzles with her racket speed and the pace on her shot. Puts people away with her athleticism and footwork. Was in the Sweet 16 at 2021 Suffolk individuals and is expected to go deeper.
Devon Serkes, Sacred Heart, Sr.
Her unorthodox style makes her a contender for the Catholic singles title. She is equally adroit winning points from the baseline or at the net.
From left: Isabella Sha of Frienda Academy, Julia Stabile of Westhampton, Andrea Vases of Manhasset.
Isabella Sha, Friends Academy, Sr.
Sha was a 2021 Newsday All-Long Island selection and returns to defend her Nassau County singles title. She was a semifinalist in the state tournament last fall.
Julia Stabile, Westhampton, Jr.
A 2021 Newsday All-Long Island selection after teaming with her sister to win the Suffolk County individual doubles championship. Will use consistency and confidence in a quest to win the county singles title this season.
Luma Teixeira, Ross School, 7th Grade
An X-factor as she enters her first season of high school tennis for a formidable Ravens team. Already is considered a five-star recruit by colleges.
Andrea Vases, Manhasset, Jr.
Has quiet fearlessness and plays strong on the baseline but isn’t afraid to come to the net. Reached the quarterfinals at the 2021 Nassau County individual championships.
Ava Veneziano and Anika Tolat, Roslyn, Sr./Soph.
Each stands as an excellent singles player, but together they have to be considered a contender for a state championship. The duo teamed in 2021 and reached the Nassau individual doubles championship match and finished sixth overall in the state tournament.
Angel Walia, Herricks, Soph.
Was selected all-state as a freshman. After reaching the semifinals at the 2021 Nassau individual championships, she must be considered a contender for a county title.
Nina Wiese, Garden City, Jr.
Battled an ACL injury in 2021 but still went undefeated at second singles. Moves up to first singles this season and could be a dangerous opponent in the county individuals.
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
