It was a scene more common to basketball, after a thrilling finish in the postseason: players excitedly rushing the court to embrace their teammates and celebrate.
This was a tennis court, but it was entirely understandable.
That reaction followed Edgemont rallying from behind to win two marathon doubles matches and just narrowly edge its nemesis Byram Hills, capturing in dramatic fashion its first Section 1 girls tennis Division II team championship.
“The feeling was incredible, and everybody were ecstatic,” Panthers coach Alexa Goldberg said of her team and its fans on Oct. 21. “So many people were happy, and the emotion came out. It showed how much this meant to all of us. They wanted it and they deserved it.”
Particularly because this program had become used to the heartbreaks of “almost.” Edgemont was good enough to excel in the regular season and accomplish a whole lot, only to be denied at the end, losing in four consecutive section finals.
It appeared to be headed that way again against a top-seeded Byram Hills squad they had twice lost to in the regular season. Edgemont dropped two singles matches, but charged back to sweep the three doubles contests, eking out a 3-2 victory at Harrison High School.
Horace Greeley, the defending large-school state champion, won the Section 1 Division I title. Both teams advanced to face the Section 9 champion in their respective subregionals Oct. 24 at Middletown High School.
The Panthers’ comeback included their first and second doubles duos fighting off a combined eight match points and both rallying to win in super tiebreakers.
“In that moment, down a match point, you realize you have nothing to lose,” said Goldberg, who adjusted the doubles pairings before the final. “You play to win and go for every shot. They weren’t timid or afraid of the moment. Plus, the girls have experienced coming in second place year after year. They wanted to know what it’s like to cross that finish line.”
Olivia Jee and Anya Pathak won, 12-10, at first doubles. Isabella Jee and Seren Fowler pulled out a 14-12 victory at second doubles. Eloise Doherty and Haoyi Zhang took third doubles, securing Edgemont the championship.
Clearing this hurdle was especially fulfilling for Goldberg, a former Edgemont star who won an individual state title in 2013. Helping guide this group to a team championship, she said, “feels so rewarding.”
“It’s special for the whole community,” Goldberg said. “There are no words to describe how awesome it is, and how proud we all are of this team.”
Greeley has a budding dynasty
Despite graduating five starters from an undefeated team last year, Horace Greeley hasn’t seemed to skip a beat, continuing its heavy plaque buildup.
The Quakers repeated as Section 1 Division I team champs, rolling to a 4-0 win over rival Scarsdale in the final. Parker Robertson and Sophia Knapp won, 6-1, 6-0 at third doubles to clinch the victory.
“We stayed for 45 minutes afterwards taking pictures and reveling in the moment,” coach John Alkalay said. “Even as a favorite, it’s still exciting. A lot of the girls weren’t with us last year, so it’s a first for them, and you don’t get many opportunities to celebrate things like this.”
Granted, the Quakers had celebrated days earlier when Michelle and Daniella Rosenblit captured the sectional doubles title with teammates Scarlett and Sadie McFadzen taking second place. But, the coach’s point was taken.
“We hadn’t won a title in more than 20 years until last year,” Alkalay said. “Scarsdale was the dynasty for a long time, and we finally overcame them. We hit a period where we have a lot of good players coming in, and our timing was fortunate.”
Michelle Rosenblit won at first singles, defeating Isabel Lin, who took second in the singles tournament last week. Sadie McFadzen won, 6-1, 6-0, at second singles. Daniella Rosenblit swept third singles, and Scarlett McFadzen and Lia Yedid swept first doubles.
“It’s always harder to defend the title because you’re the hunted instead of the hunter,” Alkalay said of his team pursuing another state championship. “But I think our girls are grounded and focused.”
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Edgemont, Horace Greeley win Section 1 girls tennis team championships
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