2016 New York City Girls High School Preview
Player to Watch: Chelsea Williams of Brooklyn Tech
The Brooklyn Tech Engineers should be one of the top teams this fall in New York City, and standout junior Chelsea Williams will be a key factor in the team’s success.
Williams was outstanding in her sophomore campaign a year ago, posting an undefeated record, including three straight-set victories in her three singles matches during the Engineers’ playoff run.
She recently competed in the USTA National Championships in San Diego, Calif. where she reached the Round of 64, losing just nine games in her two victories.
Teams to Watch in 2016
Bronx Science
The Wolverines of Bronx Science are set to defend their PSAL Championship from a year ago, and will do so returning most of its contributing members. While decorated senior Brianna Williams has graduated, returning for Bronx Science are Sarah Rahman, Perene Wang and Christina Huynh, at first, second and third singles, respectively, from last season’s city championship team. Sofie Levine and Cassie Tian return as well to give the Bronx Science a loaded lineup as the Wolverines look to defend the crown.
Brooklyn Tech
A semifinalist in the PSAL “A” Division Championships a year ago, Brooklyn Tech will be out to build on last year’s success. The Engineers return its top two singles players, juniors Nicole Semenov and Chelsea Williams, as well as third singles player Maryna Bohdanovska who enjoyed a successful freshman campaign. Despite losing seniors Nanako Chung and Almaz Nizamov from first and second doubles, respectively, Brooklyn Tech has a deep roster spearheaded by two of the top players in all of New York City in Semenov and Williams.
Stuyvesant High School
The Stuyvesant Lady Lobsters also reached the final four of the New York City playoffs a year ago and should have another deep playoff run in them this fall. Stuyvesant returns a young but talented singles lineup which includes Jennifer Yu, Maria Ivantechenko and Clara Mohri, who will be more experienced in 2016. Stuyvesant is in a loaded division that features Bronx Science and Beacon, but the battle-tested Lady Lobsters have playoff experience and an extremely talented roster which will make them a viable threat come playoff time.
The Beacon School
The Beacon School had its string of consecutive New York City titles snapped a year ago as it was edged by Bronx Science in the 2015 finals. But the Blue Demons are a program that has a consistent flow of talent coming up which makes them a perennial contender each season, and 2016 will be no different. Victoria Sec returns at first singles for her senior campaign and will be joined by Aleksandra Bekirova, who will most likely rise to second singles to replace outgoing senior Alexus Gill.
Benjamin N. Cardozo High School
The Judges of Benjamin N. Cardozo High School return the majority of its lineup from a year ago, including its top three singles players in Katherine Kacharov, Isabel Balilo and Emily Moczulski. Cardozo HS was tripped up by Brooklyn Tech in the quarterfinals a year ago, but with just one starter gone from last year’s team, Cardozo should be one of the last teams left standing at the end. The Judges have a deep, experienced lineup that will make them a tough opponent each and every time on the court.
New York City Girls High School Schedule
►Wednesday, Aug. 31: Coaches Clinic at Newtown High School
►Wednesday, Sept. 7: Coaches Clinic at Newtown High School
►Thursday, Sept. 8: 2016 Regular Season Begins
►Saturday, Sept. 24: Girls Invitational Tournament at Francis Lewis High School
►Saturday, Oct. 15: Individual Singles and Doubles Qualifier Tournament
►Tuesday, Oct. 18: “A” & “B” Division Team Playoffs First Round
►Wednesday, Oct. 19: “A” & “B” Division Team Playoffs Second Round
►Saturday Oct. 22: Individual Singles & Doubles First Round, Second Round & Quarterfinals
►Monday, Oct. 24: “A” Division Team Quarterfinals
►Tuesday, Oct. 25: “B” Division Team Semifinals
►Wednesday, Oct. 26: Individual Tournament Semifinals
►Thursday, Oct. 27: Individual Finals
►Friday, Oct. 28: “B” Division Team Finals
►Saturday, Oct. 29-Monday, Oct. 31: 2016 NYSPHSAA Championships
►Wednesday, Nov. 2: "A” Division Team Semifinals
►Thursday, Nov. 3: “A” Division Team Finals