Port Washington Defeats Harborfields to Win Long Island Large School Title

November 2, 2022 | By Brian Coleman
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Party like its 2019.

Port Washington reclaimed the title of Long Island Champions on Tuesday afternoon as the Vikings knocked off Harborfields, the Suffolk County champions, 6-1 in the Long Island Large School Championship at Casamento Park in Bay Shore.

Click Here to see more photos from the Long Island Large School Championship

“We definitely came in very motivated, especially us seniors since this is our last year and it’s been awhile since we last won it,” said Ellie Ross. “It feels good to be back in this position again.”

Ross helped get her team’s win started on Tuesday as she posted a 6-1, 6-0 victory at second singles. That win came on the heels of Dasha Perfiliev winning 6-2, 6-1 at first singles as the Vikings quickly raced out to the early lead.

Ellie Ross won at second singles to help lead Port Washington in the Long Island Championship on Tuesday afternoon. 

“I think it’s really important to bring that energy because it becomes contagious throughout the other courts,” Ross added. “If Dasha and I are able to pull out the wins early it just motivates the rest of the girls to finish strong.”

Port Washington head coach Shane Helfner added:

“I told them a couple of days ago that not many coaches can put state champions at the top of their lineup. We’re very grateful they wear our uniform, and our program is what it is because of players like Dasha and Ellie, and our entire senior class.”

Soon after the wins at first singles and second singles, Port Washington’s Chloe Fanous & Christiana Kent completed their 6-1, 6-0 victory at third doubles, bringing their team within one win of the Long Island title.

That win would come from the senior pairing of Katie Kors & Grace Ain, who sealed their team’s victory with a 6-2, 6-1 triumph at first doubles.

“We were able to reset pretty fast,” Ain said of her and Kors’ key to winning. “We lost the first games in both sets, but we were able to refocus and said, ‘it’s just tennis, let’s get the ball in’, and it worked.”

The duo had a sense that their team was winning, but were unaware they were the clinching match until they walked off the court.

“We knew our teammates were up but we tried not to pay too much attention to the other scores and just wanted to focus on what we were doing,” Kors added. “So it was a bit of a surprise when we came off and everyone told us we were the clinching match.”

Evie Loewy notched a 6-2, 6-1 win at third singles, while Yasmeen Munoz & Isabelle Dibner notched a 6-2, 6-2 victory at fourth doubles to round out the scoring for Port Washington.

“We knew coming in that Harborfields had a great season and was a really tough team, and that there would be some battles,” said Helfner. “I think our lineup is so deep that we don’t rely on any one court, and from first singles down through fourth doubles and our exhibition players, everyone on this team contributes and helps push each other.”

Victoria Frangione & Brianna Coakley would secure the lone victory for Harborfields as they came back to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 at second doubles.

Chloe Fanous & Christiana Kent celebrate a point during their third doubles victory. 
 

The Vikings now advance to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Team Championships on Friday, November 4 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and will play Clarence in the semifinals.

Click Here to see more photos from the Long Island Large School Championship

“We’re going to enjoy every moment of it,” Helfner added. “There are some great teams in the bracket so we’ll make sure to work hard in the couple of practices we have coming up. Winning is our goal, but we’re excited to have at least one more match as a team, and be able to play on the courts of the U.S. Open.”

 


Brian Coleman
Senior Editor, Long Island Tennis Magazine
Brian Coleman is the Senior Editor for Long Island Tennis Magazine. He may be reached at brianc@usptennis.com.
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