Byram Hills High School is celebrating the Girls Varsity Tennis Team for capturing the 2021 New York State team championship on Friday at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, capping an unforgettable undefeated season.
The team earned a resounding 5-0 victory over Friends Academy to be crowned the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Division 2 state champions.
“We have an incredible group of players and I’m just so proud that we were able to accomplish this historic moment in Byram Hills history,” Bobcats coach Mike Racanelli said. “What a special memory for our team, our school and the entire community.”
The win gave Byram Hills its third team state championship and first girls team state title in the school’s 55-year history.
“I am so happy for all of the girls on the team,” Byram Hills Principal Christopher Walsh said. “What a great accomplishment to be known as New York State champions! Their team will forever be remembered by future athletes at Byram Hills High School. Years from now, they'll be able to look back and take pride in knowing that they were the first female team in our history to win a state championship. They are so deserving of all of the praise and recognition they are receiving.”
This was the first year the NYSPHSAA held a team championship event for tennis.
“Congratulations to our Girls Varsity Tennis Team,” said Rob Castagna, the Byram Hills Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics. “Bringing home the first girls state title for Byram Hills and winning this first event of its kind is a tremendous accomplishment and the entire school community is so incredibly proud.”
The team had a remarkable season, winning the Section 1 championship and then the regional championship to advance to the state tournament. The team finished the season with a 22-0 record.
Hard work was the key to the team’s success.
“There is no secret recipe,” Coach Racanelli said. “We had a group of players who were willing to work really hard and set high expectations for themselves. When you play with your heart and stick together, great things can happen.”
Three members of the team also fared well in the singles and doubles state championships in late October. Alyssa Margolin, the Section 1 singles champ, won third in singles and Chloe Bernstein and Jenna Kleynerman captured third in the doubles event.
As the team returned to the high school Friday evening from the tennis center in Queens, the girls were honored with an escort from the Armonk Police and Fire departments and they were greeted by about 100 cheering parents, students, coaches, faculty and staff members.
The team captains are Alyssa Margolin, Sydney Levy, Eva Shrayer and Chloe Siegle. The roster also includes: Lily Anchin, Chloe Bernstein, Daphne Bernstein, Jordyn Bernstein, Allie Cooper, Elizabeth Deeks, Rebecca Geller, Jenna Kleynerman, Kate Levy, Julia Lucchino, Justine Maresco, Lila Raff, Skye Smith, Ari Tabankin and Abby Yallof.
The team became the third in Byram Hills history to win a state title. The others were Boys Soccer in 2007 and Boys Baseball in 2015.
The team will be celebrated at a parade Sunday morning in Armonk that steps off from H.C. Crittenden Middle School at 10 a.m. and will proceed around Wampus Pond, then up Main Street to the North Castle Town Hall for a reception.