Hills East Claims Tennis Crown

Girls Tennis Coach Tom Depelteau wrapped one of his players in a bear hug Monday afternoon, catching her mid text. OMG! That SMS would have to wait. 

It was time to celebrate a winning moment three years in the making.

After three straight trips to the Suffolk championship, Hills East finally claimed the team title in girls tennis, earning a 5-2 victory over .

District rival won the previous and the Thunderbirds. Not this time. 

Northport, the surprising No. 19 seed, rolled through the tournament, racking up wins against the top seeds. It included a 4-3 semifinal victory over Hills West on Friday. 

That set the stage for the title match on the courts at Smithtown East. Top-seeded Hills East let its depth carry the day.

While No. 1 singles player Ludmila Yamus lost to Northport’s Bridget Harding, 6-4, 6-3, Hills East took second, third and fourth singles as well as second and third doubles. Yamus was third at the Suffolk individual championships while Harding teamed up with her older sister to earn the county doubles title.

“The top of our lineup is strong. But it’s complemented by the fact we have some depth,” said Depelteau, who claimed his third Suffolk title in eight seasons. “Today we won second and third doubles and third and fourth singles. It reflects that depth.”

Hills East’s Vanessa Scott beat Mickey Harding, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, in second singles. No. 3 Amanda Luper beat Kristen Bomkamp, 6-1, 6-3. No. 4 Allison Huber defeated Corrine Hakanson, 6-1, 6-1.

The first doubles team of Emily Capazzi and Jordana Cohen fell to Northport’s tandem of Alex Polli and Katie Brandow, 6-1, 6-3.

The No. 2 doubles duo of Jessica Mangano and Dominique Grello clinched the team title with its 7-6, 6-2 win over Northport’s Jill Duryea and Julia Singh. The third doubles team of Aikta Rajput and Natalie Haevich beat Emma Labott and Caitlyn Sullivan, 6-1, 6-4.

Hills East is not done. The tennis team will face Syosset for the Long Island championship Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Cold Spring Harbor.