Cinderella Run Ends For Northport Tennis

It was an inspired run.

The unheralded No. 19 seeded girls tennis team elbowed its way into the Suffolk team championships. 

Riding the sister act of Mickey and Bridget Harding, the Tigers upended one highly regarded team after another. Friday’s 4-3 semifinal victory over two-time Suffolk champ Half Hollow Hills West caught the attention of an entire county.

“It was huge. Our team has never been to a county final,” Northport sophomore Bridget Harding said. “We never won a county final. It’s something we never experienced before. It’s great. It’s brought our team a lot closer.”

That run came to an end Monday at Smithtown East. Top-seeded 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 to claim the Suffolk team title, 5-2.

“The top of our lineup is strong. But it’s complemented by the fact we have some depth,” said Hills East Girls Tennis Coach Tom Depelteau, who earned 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.

“Even though we’re a bit short today, the future looks very bright,” Northport Coach Peter Quinn said. “We have a lot of kids who want to play. This won’t be the last time we’re here.”

Northport defied the odds. This is the second year of the Suffolk playoff system, a 24-seed playoff fed by ability-based leagues. Said Suffolk Girls Tennis Coordinator Pete Cesare: “They earned their way through this competition and did a great job."

Northport's season isn't quite over yet. Bridget Harding teamed up with senior Mickey Harding to capture the county doubles title last week. The sisters advance to the state tournament this weekend in Syracuse.

While they played as a doubles team for individual glory, Quinn split the Hardings to anchor his singles lineup in team play. It was strategy that turned a team that went just 2-10 a year ago into a 15-2 force.

“Peter dividing up his doubles team made sense," Depelteau said. "It got them here. If he hadn’t I don’t think they’d be here.”