After at least four straight losing seasons, Manhasset finds itself among the elite girls’ tennis team in Nassau County this season. Playing in the top-rated Nassau Conference I, the Indians sport an 8-3 record after a loss to undefeated Syosset at home on Oct. 6.
“I believe we have the skill necessary this season to challenge the strong competition in Conference I,” coach Eileen Cuneo said. “Overall we have a strength throughout our lineup.”
She went on, “Last year at the county tournament then-seventh graders Evangelina Vases and Diane Durante came in fourth place in doubles. We have a strong singles line up with sophomore Andrea Vases at 1, followed by eighth-graders Diane Durante and Evangelina Vases at 2 and 3 respectively.
We have a very strong doubles lineup with new and returning players.”
Cuneo has been coaching at Manhasset since 2006, and guided the girls to Nassau County titles in 2014 and 2015.
“I played tennis at Manhasset under Dr. Dave Dorman and at Fairfield University,” Cuneo said. “I am grateful for the support of previous Athletic Director Jim Amen and current interim AD Tom Howard, who has always been supportive of the program, myself and the players.”
Senior co-captains are Chloe Chan and Carly George and junior co-captains are Claire D’Ambrosio and Julia Chiovitti.
The Indians recently traveled to the Seawane Club in Hewlett Harbor and defeated host Hewlett 6-1. The only loss came for Andrea Vases, who overcame a 6-4 opening game loss to Nyla Gershfeld to tie the match with 6-0 victory, only to lose the tiebreaker 10-7.
Other results: Diane Durante defeated Sonia Kruglysky 6-1, 6-2 at second singles; Evangelina Vases defeated Sahara Ahmad 6-3, 6-2 at third singles; first doubles Julia Chiovitti and Alexandra McIntyre defeated Nita Katsman and Rachel Halbert 6-2, 6-2; second doubles Caroline Kelly and Alexis Morton defeated Rachel Kourdera and Jessica Podiulsky (no score available); third doubles Carly George and Chloe Chan defeated Mia Templish and Aarn Feldman 7-6( 7-5), 6-4; fourth doubles Grace Li and Allison Tak defeated Natalie Popitveky and Nikki Stark 6-4, 6-1.
In the exhibition matches Ciara Rienzi and Maddy Ma won 6-4; Gabi Rienzi and Regina Huang lost 4-6; and Sofia DeSanctis and Maddy Ma won 6-2.
The Lineup
1st Singles: Andrea Vases
(10th grade), on varsity since
eighth grade
2nd Singles:
Diane Durante (8),
on varsity since seventh grade
3rd Singles:
Evangeline Vases (8), on varsity since seventh grade
1st Doubles:
Julia Chiovitti (11), three seasons on varsity
Alexandra McIntyre (11),
two seasons on varsity
2nd Doubles:
Alexis Morton (12)
Caroline Kelly (11), on varsity since eighth grade
3rd Doubles:
Chloe Chan (12)
Carly George (12)
4th Doubles:
Grace Li (10)
Allison Tak (9)
5th Doubles:
Claire D’Ambrosio (11)
Gabby Rienzi (12)
6th Doubles:
Ciara Rienzi (12)
Maddy Ma (12)
Substitutes: Regina Huang (8)
Sofia DeSanctis (11)
Callie Triantafillion (12)
