Washingtonville girls tennis leaves no stone unturned in 14-0 season

The Washingtonville High School girls varsity tennis team finished its regular season with a perfect 14-0 record this fall, but the work behind that accomplishment began long before the first match.

After a challenging season last year, the Wizards made mental preparation and team chemistry a priority, working with Coach Matthew Anastasi to build confidence, strengthen relationships and develop a more consistent approach to competition.

For team captain Kiera Gisler, that shift made all the difference.

"Last year, we were a very young squad, and at times it was tough to maintain focus and perform at our absolute best every single match," Kiera said. "Over the summer, we made a conscious effort to change that."

The team focused heavily on mental preparation, including weekly sessions with a mental training coach. Coach Anastasi also organized team-building activities, including Pilates, pasta parties and trips to the U.S. Open, helping the players develop stronger relationships off the court.

At the start of the season, Coach Anastasi introduced the team to a guiding phrase: "No stone unturned."

"To us, that meant fighting our absolute best every single day to reach our full potential," Kiera said. "We've really embraced that mindset, keeping our energy high, supporting one another through every challenge, holding our heads high, and growing not just as athletes, but as individuals."

The team's success has been accompanied by several notable individual accomplishments.

Senior captain Alexandra Davis, a six-year varsity starter and three-year captain, recently reached her 100 career wins as a Wizard. For Alexandra, the milestone represents years of dedication to the sport and the friendships she's developed along the way.

"While the milestone itself would be exciting, what means the most to me is everything that has gone into getting there," Alexandra said. "I've learned so much through the wins, losses, challenges, and I've been fortunate to share those experiences with teammates whom I call my best friends."

Teammates Madison Kantor and Addison Davis have each surpassed 50 career wins and are the reigning 2025 Section IX doubles champions. Kiera and doubles partner Milana Sardella have also recorded 10 wins together this season.

The program continues to grow, with more than 40 students trying out for the team this year, setting a new participation record.

Most recently, the girls won the section championship, defeating Wallkill 7-0. They will compete in the state tournament on October 31 at Harrison High School at 10 a.m. 

For Alexandra, who is completing her final season with the Wizards, tennis has also provided opportunities to develop as a leader.

"When I first joined the team, I was focused mainly on improving my own game, but over the years, I've learned that being part of a team means so much more than what happens on the court," she said.

As a captain, Alexandra has taken on additional responsibilities such as supporting the junior varsity players with their skills.

Beyond the team's record, Kiera said the relationships the players have developed have made the season particularly meaningful.

"Coming together during preseason and building close friendships has made this whole journey so rewarding," she said. "I'm just really proud of these girls and excited to see how far we can go."