Lady Pirate Tennis Pearl River Tournament

The Pearl River tennis team is showing promise early this season, but the Lady Pirates will be tested today, Friday and Saturday.

With a 3-3 record heading into today’s critical showdown with Tappan Zee at home and the Pearl River Tournament coming up on Friday and Saturday, the League 4B picture will be in much sharper focus after this weekend.

The most impressive match thus far was a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Suffern.  That was the first time in the last ten years that Pearl River notched a victory in this series.

“It was our depth that proved decisive," said Pearl River Coach Joan Smith.  "All four of the doubles teams had to step up and win. And they did.  That was the best that I have ever seen them play.

“I am really happy at the way my first and second doubles teams of Molly Powers and Lauren Bellante and Rachel Broudy, and Aileen Burke have gelled and worked together.”

It is in singles play where the Lady Pirates’ top performer Elina Arakelyan, who is battling a back injury, will continue to be the key component. The question is if she can return to the court for the decisive upcoming matches against the top League 4B title contenders.  Smith also pointed to Shannon McGuinness at second singles and Stacy Wang at third singles for some very strong performances. 

“Our consistent play has frustrated opponents," Smith said. "I am pleased with how hard the team is working and with their energy, enthusiasm and how they support each other.  They are a pleasure to coach.  I am looking forward to the next few weeks.  If Elina can play,
it will make a huge difference.  It is unfortunate that, the season is so short.”

The Pearl River Tournament is always a highlight of the tennis schedule with all the League 4B members (Albertus Magnus, East Ramapo, Nanuet, Nyack, Tappan Zee and Pearl River) in the field. 

“The competition is very good this year," Smith said. "Last year’s tournament winner Nyack just lost a very close regular season match to Tappan Zee.  Nanuet has Kristin Quill the outstanding singles player in our league.  Albertus is up and coming.  They are much improved with good young players.  We should be a strong contender in the tournament especially if Elina can play.

“In this tournament, the depth of each team is extremely important.  That need will surface quickly because points are scored in all the flights.”

It is important to note the unique rules that are in effect for this weekend’s event:

There will be seven flights including first Singles, second Singles, 3rd Singles, first doubles, second doubles, third doubles and fourth doubles.

• Each first Singles player from each school will play one set with the first Singles players from the other five schools.  This round-robin format will be repeated throughout each flight.
• The number of games won by each player or team will be recorded per set. The player/team with the highest total number of games won in the five sets will be the winner in that flight.  There are medals for first, second and third place in each flight.
• The school with the most games won (totaling all the flights) will be the tournament winner.

Tournament play starts at 3:30 PM Friday and concludes beginning at 8:30 AM on Saturday.  The singles and first and second doubles will be played at Pearl River High School.. Third and fourth doubles matches will be held at Cherry Brook Park near the Franklin Avenue Elementary School.