South Side nets share of title

The message coach Chris Colesanti relayed to members of South Side’s girls’ tennis team on the first day of practice was that it takes more than just talent to have a successful season.

“I told them we had a strong and deep team, but we also needed to work as hard or harder than everyone else,” Colesanti said. “Everyone got on board, all the pieces fell into place, and we had a great regular season.”

The Lady Cyclones settled for a share of the Conference II-B title with Bellmore-JFK after losing a heartbreaker of a rematch with the Cougars down the stretch. Both teams carried a 13-1 record into the playoffs, with South Side getting the No. 1 seed by way of a coin flip.

Colesanti said the lineup was bolstered by freshmen Nikki Huhulea and Juliana Shenker, who started at No. 1 and 3 singles, respectively, and featured six seniors in doubles. Huhulea (10-4) and Shenker (9-5) had no trouble fitting in, he said. 

“Nikki and Juliana filled two of the toughest positions in the lineup and allowed Suzanne [Silecchia], who has the most experience, to settle in nicely at second singles,” Colesanti said. 

While Huhulea and Shenker did more than just hold their own against older players, Silecchia’s season was nothing short of perfect. After missing all of her sophomore year due to mono, she won all 14 regular-season matches and didn’t lose a set along the way.

“Suzanne started playing at a very early age and reached a high level when she was only 10,” Colesanti explained. “She’s got a great variety and a lot of weapons in her game. She’s got some tricky serves and can grind out long points. And she’s athletic and quick.”

The coach described Huhulea, a lefty, as an extremely composed and steady player who possesses the best backhand shot on the team. “She can rip into a ball and is great at changing speeds,” Colesanti said. “She’s not one to hurt herself with errors, and her attitude is always positive.”

Shenker excels by using the whole court, Colesanti said, and brought her game to another level this summer by spending time at tennis camp in Florida. “She’s able to put points together and is tremendous at painting the corners,” he said. “She took a more aggressive approach in the second half of the season and saw better results.”

Senior Felicia DeMarco and sophomore Bailey Lopez formed instant chemistry at first doubles, Colesanti said, and won 11 of 14 matches. Lopez is a strong baseline player and sets up points that DeMarco finishes.

At second doubles, seniors Kristine Cheslock and Mackenzie Meehan worked their way up the depth chart from fourth doubles a year ago and compiled a 7-6 record. “When they play aggressively, they’re tough to beat,” Colesanti said.

Senior Nicole Castagna and junior Danielle Falchiere were dominant at third doubles, going 12-1 and dropping only two sets, while seniors Tina Barricelli and Francesca DeMarco won 10 times at fourth doubles.