Port Washington Tennis: Vikings Capture First State Title in School History

The Port Washington girls tennis team clinched its first state championship in school history on Friday afternoon at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The Vikings defeated Chappaqua’s Horace Greeley squad 5-2 in the final match, a result that capped a season defined by consistent dominance in doubles.

Four pairs carried the team through the state tournament, finishing with a 40-match winning streak in doubles play. Christiana Kent and Shoriya Bhat-Bhandarkar, both seniors, secured the final point for the championship. Kent’s serve landed wide, allowing her to race to the net and embrace her partner after a 6-3, 6-2 victory. Kent described the moment as a realization that she had never experienced anything similar.

Bhat-Bhandarkar, one of three senior captains, noted that the pair had partnered for three years. She said that knowing the match would come down to their court made the shared victory feel complete. The team also relied on strong performances from other doubles teams, including Evie Loewy and Ruby Siskind, who won 6-3 and 6-2. Layna Koutsoyiannis and Peri Cooper won 6-1 and 6-0, while twins Jamison and Lila Hershman recorded a 6-1 and 6-1 victory.

Iris Kim, the No. 3 singles player, served as a critical offensive force. She lost only two games across two matches on Friday, including a double bagel in the final. Coach Shane Helfner, who has led the Vikings since 2014 and also teaches band at Schreiber High School, praised Kim’s performance as a major boost for the team. The win marked a redemption arc for the program, which fell to Scarsdale 7-0 in the state final in 2022. Kent and Loewy were members of that previous squad.

The path to the final required overcoming Syosset in the county finals. The Vikings beat their longtime rivals 4-3 to claim their first county crown since 2022. They followed that with a 6-1 victory over Scarsdale in the regional final. In the semifinal, Port Washington defeated Clarence 5-2. Helfner recalled that the Clarence coach told him afterward that he had seen the deepest high school tennis team in his career. The program’s success was anchored by the steady play of eighth-graders Michaela Lin and Vanessa Wang.

Dr. Guarav Passi, superintendent of schools, confirmed that a coronation or celebration will soon take place at the school. Championship rings are also being considered. For the senior players, the title served as a definitive conclusion to their high school careers. Loewy reflected on the 2022 loss, noting that the team knew there would be other chances. She said seeing the program rebuild and achieve this milestone made the experience profound for the players and the school.