A new PSAL champion was crowned, but the city was still owned by St. Francis Prep.
The Terriers won a 12th straight Mayor’s Cup and extended their match winning streak to 189. It didn’t come easy, though, as third singles Marylen Santos had to win a third set against Goldstein for SFP to do it again.
Speaking of Goldstein, the Dolphins have emerged as a legitimate force, winning their first-ever PSAL Class A team title by knocking off three-time defending champion Cardozo. Could snapping Prep’s Mayor’s Cup streak in 2012 be next?
All-City girls Player of the Year: Leighann Sahagun, Cardozo
The Arizona State-bound superstar capped her incredible career by winning a second PSAL individual title. Sahagun, ranked No. 21 in the Class of 2011 by tennisrecruiting.net, led Cardozo back to the PSAL Class A team finals, but the Judges were unable to win for a fourth straight year. The Flushing, Queens native was also named an All-American.
All-City girls Coach of the Year: Victoria D’Orazio, Goldstein
Goldstein has been at the doorstep the last few years, but D’Orazio guided the Dolphins to their first-ever PSAL Class A team title this season. Still a young squad with almost everyone returning, Goldstein bested three-time defending champion Cardozo in the final. The Dolphins also came within points of ending St. Francis Prep’s 12-year Mayor’s Cup reign.
FIRST TEAM
Becky Shtilkind, Goldstein
The junior first singles led Goldstein to its first-ever PSAL Class A team title, dethroning three-time defending champion Cardozo, and the Mayor’s Cup final. She also advanced to the championship matches in the PSAL individuals and the Mayor’s Cup individuals.
Alexis Tashiro, Francis Lewis
With her presence at first singles, Lewis has consistently been one of the top teams in New York City. The junior led the Patriots to the PSAL Class A team semifinals and the Mayor’s Cup team semis. Tashiro and Lewis second singles Paulina Velasquez won the Mayor’s Cup doubles crown.
Gabrielle Sullivan, Poly Prep
The Cornell-bound senior has been a star at Poly Prep over her career – going all the way back to her middle school Mayor’s Cup title back in 2008. This season she was named to the New York Junior Tennis League’s all-star team.
Kathleen Uy, St. Francis Prep
The Rhode Island-bound senior was a solid first singles as St. Francis Prep extended its Mayor’s Cup team title streak to 12 and its match streak to an absurd 189. Coach John Brennan said she is possibly his most improved player ever.
Manuela Velasquez, home schooled
After being sidelined with multiple injuries, Velasquez came back to beat Goldstein’s Becky Shtilkind in the Mayor’s Cup individual championship match. The senior, one of the best players in the city, has a bevy of Division I interest, but will take at least the fall semester off before choosing a college.
HONORABLE MENTION
Monique Carlson, Curtis
Katie Derienzo, St. Francis Prep
Rebecca Fakas, Cardozo
Maddie Gordon, Horace Mann
Destina Grunin, Goldstein
Dina Levy Lambert, Stuyvesant
Marylen Santos, St. Francis Prep
Arianna Rodriguez, Kew Forest
Nicole Rydzewski, St. Francis Prep
Paulina Velasquez, Francis Lewis
