The Tenafly High School girls tennis team made history on Tuesday, October 15, clinching the North I Group III sectional title in a thrilling showdown against Northern Highlands. With grit, teamwork, and mental toughness, the team coached by Coach Anthony Zorovich secured its place among the best in New Jersey and advanced to the state tournament at Mercer County.
This victory was especially sweet. After a tight loss to Northern Highlands earlier in the season, the girls knew they had to bring their best game—and they did just that. In order to win, the team needed to win the majority of the five matches (three singles and two doubles). Although both doubles teams were defeated early, Tenafly’s varsity singles players carried the team through, winning three consecutive matches to clinch the championship title.
“Both doubles lost relatively quickly,” captain Kailyn Cho (’25) recalled, “leaving it all up to our three singles players. This rarely happens since we usually rely on doubles wins, but all three singles carried the team and secured the championship title.”
Playing on an away court always brings a wave of emotions, and the sectional finals were no different for the Tenafly girls. Competing on unfamiliar turf with the opposing team’s colors, slogans, and supportive crowd surrounding them made it difficult to feel settled right away. The courts felt different, and the energy in the air was heavy with anticipation, knowing that this match could either punch their ticket to states or mark the end of their season. The weight of that pressure was felt by every player, but the girls rose to the occasion. All three singles fought hard, staying focused despite the challenging environment, and ultimately played their best tennis. Their resilience paid off, earning them the sectional championship title and a well-deserved spot at the Mercer County state tournament. As one of 16 sectional champions at Mercer on October 17, Tenafly competed in intense matches against notable talent.
This level of success was no accident—all three captains, Kailyn Cho, Sophia Lee (’25), and Sam Cho (’26) started playing tennis young, with their families introducing them to the sport. Over the years, they have developed a deep appreciation for the mental and strategic aspects of the game.
“I love the strategy and communication involved in tennis,” Kailyn noted, emphasizing how teamwork plays a role even in a primarily individual sport. Sophia added, “I love the mental aspect of tennis and how it fosters individual growth, while also creating a sense of community.” Both captains also found inspiration in tennis legends like Coco Gauff, Serena Williams, and Roger Federer.
Michelle Lee (’26), one of the team’s singles players, described the high-pressure atmosphere of the finals. Despite the tension after both doubles teams losing, Michelle found a way to channel the pressure into performance.
“Having everyone watch my match gave me that extra push,” she said. “I just didn’t want to mess up on an embarrassing shot!”
This mental resilience is what defines the team. The players know that tennis can be just as much about endurance as it is about skill, especially when every point matters. When you’re playing in the spotlight, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but knowing that their teammates believe in each other made all the difference.
As the season comes to a close, the girls reflect on their achievements with pride, from hard-fought victories to the friendships formed along the way. Winning sectionals has been a highlight, but it also marks the end of months of dedication, early practices, and intense matches. For the underclassmen, it’s a bittersweet farewell to the seniors and a reminder of the leadership they’ll need to take on next year. Players like Sam and Michelle are already looking forward to their senior season, eager to make the most of every moment on the court. The team knows that next year will bring new challenges, but they are excited to build on this season’s success. With goals of returning to Mercer County and defending their sectional title, they plan to train harder, grow closer as teammates, and welcome new players into the fold, ready to make even more memories.
