Syosset’s Vivian Cheng Caps Off High School Career With Singles Crown

November 6, 2012 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff

Vivian Cheng ended her high school career on a high note yesterday as she went out as the New York State Champion. Cheng who played first singles for Nassau County Champion Syosset High School defeated fellow Nassau County representative and fourth-seeded Nicholle Torres of Great Neck South in the finals. The first set went back and fourth and Torres let a golden opportunity slip away when she was unable to serve out the set at 5-4 in the opening set. After Cheng held to go up 6-5, she then broke Torres again to close the set. In the second set Cheng carried that momentum forward to earn the victory and the championship.

This marks the second straight season the High School State Champion has been from Syosset. Last year, Hannah Camhi (now at Brown) won the title. It also marks the second straight season the runner-up was a Nassau County representative as Morgan Hermann of Garden City was defeated by Camhi in 2011.

Cheng had an abbreviated high school career as she played for Syosset as a freshman but not as a sophomore or junior before returning for her senior season.

"This years NY State tournament was a tremendous success. All nine girls, three singles players and three doubles teams, that represented Nassau County, made it into the quarterfinal round of the tournament," said Shai Fisher, Section VIII Nassau County Girls Tennis Coordinator. "Our number one doubles team, which won  the Nassau County title, lost in the semifinal round, and finished fourth overall out of 30 teams in the state draw." 

Third place also went to a Nassau County representative as top-seeded Alexa Graham of Garden City bounced back from her semifinal upset loss to defeat third-seeded Claire Minnoe of Auburn in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1.

In the doubles finals, Cassidy & Jessie Cruz of New Rochelle were able to defend their titles as they defeated Alexa Goldberg & Tomo Iwasaki from Edgemont 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3 to become back to back State Doubles Champions.

"In singles, our three players took first, second and third in the state tournament," said Fisher. "I don’t think this feat has ever happened before, and is an amazing accomplishment. These results show the strength of girls high school tennis being played here in Nassau County, and is something we should be very proud of."

In the doubles consolation matchup, Hewlett’s duo of Gabby Leon & Veronica Paikin put up a great fight, but fell in three tough sets to Keishorea Armstrong & Emma Willard of Troy 2-6, 6-4, 4-6. Leon & Paikin finished fourth.

Nicholle Torres of Great Neck South was runner-up in the 2012 NYS Girls High School Championships

 

Nassau County was well-represented at the 2012 NYS Girls High School Championships

 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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