Hewlett claims conference title

Already with 13 straight wins without a defeat, Hewlett’s girls’ tennis team still had a little more work to do in the regular-season finale to seal the Conference II-B title. The Lady Bulldogs went on the road and beat young and talented Lynbrook, 5-2, on Oct. 14 to complete a perfect run under first-year coach Abby Samlin.

“The girls are thrilled,” said Samlin, who coached the majority of Hewlett’s roster at the JV level. “Winning the conference was a goal they really wanted to achieve. 

“It’s a bit of a surprise because half of last year’s team graduated,” she added. “But we didn’t expect our top two singles players to be who they turned out to be. They were both new to the team and made my job a lot easier.”

Junior Kseniya Zonova, who moved to the area a little less than a year ago from Ukraine, has been nothing short of dominant at No. 1 singles. She went 14-0 and last weekend captured the Nassau County singles championship. “She can be a Division I college player,” Samlin said. “She’s such a pleasure to coach. She has all the tools and plays with a killer instinct. Her forehand and serve are dominant, and she never gives up on a point.”

Samlin knew last winter Zonova would be part of the program, but the coach had no idea about the addition of freshman Gabriela Sciarrotta until the opening day of practice. “Gabriela showed up with a large tennis bag, so that was a sign she was a serious player,” Samlin said. “She’s a fierce competitor who knows what it takes to be successful on the court. She has USTA experience and hits the ball with intensity.” Sciarrotta defeated every conference opponent at least once and finished 12-2 in the regular season.

Junior Gianna Papini stepped up to crack the starting singles lineup after playing a key role at doubles a year ago. She closed the regular season with three consecutive victories to finish on the plus side of .500. “Gianna improved with every match,” Samlin said. “It was great to see her finish so strong.”

Samlin said she always puts an emphasis on doubles because “you can’t win a match without them.” She also stresses drills and conditioning in practice and noted the Lady Bulldogs spent many a weekend day on the courts. “They really worked hard and became a team,” she said.

The third doubles tandem of senior Sophia Golbert and junior Gillian Polakoff proved a key down the stretch, going 6-0. “They weren’t together early in the season but they clicked and played lights-out,” Samlin explained.

At first doubles, senior Danielle Grushkovskiy and junior Ashley Yevdosin formed a hard-hitting tandem. Their consistency from the baseline as well as the net gave opponents headaches, Samlin said. Seniors Brianna Beshkin and Rachel Vcheashansky are both finesse players and came through in the clutch at second doubles. There were a handful of contributors at fourth doubles, where senior Noa Gamson and junior Natalie Bakis enjoyed a late surge.

“Every match was a battle,” Samlin said. “The girls had to earn every win they got.”