Division 1, Section 1 NYSPHSAA team state champions: Scarsdale’s Girls’ Varsity Tennis team just made history. Not only was this the first time Scarsdale won this title, but the first time any team in New York state won. 

Throughout the 17 matches played in their regular tennis season, Scarsdale remained undefeated. The only team that won any singles or doubles games against Scarsdale was Horace Greeley, in which Scarsdale won 5 out of the 7 matches. After their regular season, Scarsdale moved on to sectionals where they won again. After sectionals, Scarsdale advanced to sub-regionals at Goshen Sports Complex in Orange County, New York. There, they won against Washingtonville, continuing on to regionals at Binghamton University. At Binghamton, the team played Ithaca and remarkably won again, making it all the way to state championships.

On Friday, November 5, the tennis team had the opportunity to play in the NYSPHSAA championships at the US Open Complex in Queens, New York. Playing in the same facilities as the most famous tennis players in the world have played is something the team truly worked hard for. “Many of us have been going to the US Open year after year, so being there and stepping onto those courts was really cool,” Maya Vora ’24 said. This is the first time that this tournament has been offered for girls’ tennis teams, so the girls walked in with a fierce desire to be the first winners.

After sweeping Brighton 7-0 in the semi-finals, the team went on to play Syosset in the finals. “[They were] easily the best team all season. Compared to sub-regions and regions, Syosset was much better than the other teams,” Vora said. After playing six matches, the team was tied 3-3 with Syosset, so it was all down to the last match. Doubles players Natasha Pereira ’24 and Kay Cottrell ’25 felt the intense pressure on them as the deciding match. “The whole team was cheering so loudly for every point and it was really overwhelming,” Pereira said. “I began to shake. I was not shaking because I was nervous, but because so many people were watching that I didn’t want to mess this up for my team,” she added. Pereira and Cottrell won their match, declaring the team state champions! 

The Scarsdale Girls’ Varsity Tennis team’s success was a testament to the stellar encouragement and leadership of Coach Roane, who is also a Physical Education teacher at Scarsdale High School. “Coach Roane is great, and she shows up to every game. She has been very supportive and passionate throughout the entire season,” Vora commented. “She always tries to give us some coaching and uplifting advice before and when we are down in a match,” Periera added. 

The team’s season was like no other before, which can be traced all the way back to the team dynamic. They all have the same love for tennis and the same determination to win. “We all shared the same passion and dedication to the sport, so we pretty much just bonded instantly,” said Vora. “The most important part is cheering on your teammates and giving them support while they’re playing, so if we didn’t have that dynamic, I really don’t think we would have come this far,” concluded Vora.