Scarsdale Varsity Girls Tennis Team On Top of their Game

We found the Scarsdale Varsity Girls Tennis Team in high spirits during Raider Pride week on Wednesday September 25. The girls and Coach Jennifer Roane had much to be happy about. They had defeated Horace Mann 7-0 in a clean sweep the previous day and as Coach Roane said, their season record thus far was 4-1, soon to be 5-1 as the match against White Plains was moving swiftly in favor of the Raiders.

Though the team finished last year with 4 wins and 3 losses, many of the players had trained during the summer, played USTA matches and returned stronger this fall. In fact, Roane took only two new players onto the team this year- Elin Johansson moved up from Varsity B and freshman Ashley Granieri who plays first doubles for the team. Yet the current team, largely composed of returning players is already ahead of their 2012 season. Playing on the newly refurbished blue and green Scarsdale home courts in smart black and white uniforms they looked confident and light on their feet.

On the singles courts yesterday, senior Lindsay Rokito played in the third position and quickly beat her opponent 6-0, 6-0. Sophomore Kim Zou, playing second doubles also trounced her opponent in two sets without giving up a game. Junior Adrienne Travis seemed to have the only tough match of the day, playing lengthy points from the baseline and working up a sweat. She was the last to finish but ultimately won 6-0, 6-4.

Coach Roane reconfigured the doubles teams this season and the first doubles team is returning junior Kate Rabin and freshman Asheley Granieri. They sat out for the White Plains match to give their teammates some playing time. Granieri plays national tournaments but is clearly enjoying being part of the Scarsdale team. She and Rabin are 3-1 for the season.

Taking the first doubles court on Wednesday were senior Jacqui Hebner and sophomore Jessica Tsai. They also won easily, 6-0, 6-1.

Rabin's cousin and former partner Carolyn Zelicof is now playing second doubles with Allison Shein. The duo has lost only one match so far this season and reported that they played together this summer in California. With bright smiles they reported they had just beat White Plains 6-0, 6-0.

The third doubles team of Francesca Johnson and Elin Johanssson were also off the court quickly, winning easily. The returning doubles team of twin sisters Carinne and Colette Torres also defeated their opponents six love, six love.

Bigger challenges lie ahead for the team who plays longtime rival Bronxville this week and has upcoming matches planned against Mamaroneck, John Jay and Pelham. However, on Wednesday the entire team was enjoying the beautiful weather and their victory over White Plains at home.