2018
LONG ISLAND GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW 2018 Team to Watch (Suffolk County): Ward Melville The Ward Melville Patriots captured the 2017 Suffolk County Championship, downing Half Hollow Hills East 4-3 in a thrilling contest that came down to the last match. “We thought we’d probably be able to reach the semifinals, but after that, you never know,” said Ward Melville Head Coach Erik Sussin. “I didn’t expect to win a County Title. It was pretty amazing.” A year later, the Patriots enter 2018 with slightly different expectations than it did before last season. As defending Suffolk County Champions, the Patriots begin the season with a target on its back as it ventures out into a title defense. “We lost a total of 10 seniors who graduated, but the majority of those were deeper in the lineup or didn’t play, so we are returning a lot,” said Sussin. “The strength of our team is those five girls we have returning who were either All-County or All-State. Suffolk is difficult, there is a lot of young talent, but we are ready for the challenge. I do expect us to get back to the semifinals this year, and if we can get back to the finals again, that’s great. A lot of time it comes down to the team you match up against, and it worked to our benefit last year in the County Tournament.” One of those key contributors from last year’s team is top singles player Denise Lai. The senior has been an AllState player in each of the last two seasons, and will once again anchor the Ward Melville starting lineup. Lai has reached the second round of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Girls Singles Championships both in 2016 and 2017, and will be relied upon to lead the Patriots in 2018. “Denise is a really strong player, and she expects to get better each year. 40
2018 Team to Watch (Suffolk
The 2017 Suffolk County Champs, the Ward Melville Patriots, begin the 2018 season with high expectations
Senior Denise Lai is back for Ward Melville for her final high school season
Jade Eggleston returns to Ward Melville’s singles lineup to help lead the Patriots to a return trip to the Suffolk County Championship
She has been in the second round at States, so her goal should be to get to the third round of States this year,” said Sussin. “There is so much young talent in the County, but her goal is to get to States and hopefully reach the third round.” In addition to Li, Jade Eggleston and
Anna Ma return to the singles lineup, two talented and experienced singles players who will bolster the Patriots’ depth. Despite playing in Suffolk’s League V, Ward Melville has become a perennial contender in the County. Its talented core is a major reason for that,
Long Island Tennis Magazine • September/October 2018 • LITennisMag.com