HARRISON – A day before one of the most meaningful matches of their careers, Michelle and Daniella Rosenblit spoke at length with their opponents. They discussed the significance of the competition, and their emotions while preparing for what would be a rare moment.

And they coordinated their outfits.

Because, of course, a celebratory occasion requires some sartorial synchronization.

“It was a thrill for us, even before the match, knowing that they’re all going to states,” Horace Greeley girls tennis coach John Alkalay said of the teammates dueling Oct. 18 in the doubles final of the Section 1 tournament. “What made this really fun is the fact the girls are such friends.”

Siblings, too. For the first time in recent memory, two sets of sisters on the same team would compete for a title.

“It was amazing,” said Sadie McFadzen, wearing all black alongside her partner Scarlett McFadzen. “We knew going in that someone from our team was going to be a champion and we’d all be happy for each other.”

It was the top-seeded Rosenblit sisters, clad in white, who prevailed, 6-1, 6-4, in the friendly family feud at Harrison High School.

Michelle Rosenblit was part of a state championship doubles team last season and the Greeley senior now has a chance to duplicate that feat with her lil’ sis.

Both sets of sisters are among the Section 1 standouts who secured berths to the state tournament, which runs Oct. 27-29 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. Keio senior Sakura Hino repeated as singles champion.

“It’s always an incredible feeling to win a championship, but it’s even more special to share it with your sister,” Michelle said.

She and Daniella are a year apart and routinely train together, and both excel at ground strokes. But, they had only played doubles “a couple times” before this season. Daniella reached the state singles tournament last fall as a sophomore, but she decided in September to forgo an individual run for a chance to create what will be a cherished memory.

“With (Michelle) being a senior, it would’ve been too cool an opportunity to pass up,” Daniella said of them partnering. “We thought it would be a fun sister tribute to play together.”

Around the same time, Scarlett and Sadie made a similar call — for sentimental reasons, of course, and because the two have an excellent rapport. Their combined talents earned them the No. 2 seed in the tournament.

“We’re best friends off the court,” Scarlett said. “We thought that relationship could carry over to the court, and it has.”

The Quakers actually had a third sister duo, Emma and Sophia Knapp, who reached the quarterfinals. The success of those tandems speaks to the overall strength of the program, which also won a state championship as a team last year. And the power of familial influence, for that matter.

“It happened organically, with the girls all wanting to play with their sisters,” said Alkalay, whose team is 19-1 overall this season. “They’re all committed to tennis, committed to being good teammates, and they work constantly to get better. All those things contribute to making it a strong team, and it makes my life easy as a coach.”

A nerve-racking triumph

When Sakura Hino won the Section 1 singles championship last year, it came as somewhat of a surprise. Especially to her. Keio Academy had just revived its tennis program and the Japanese native was playing competitively for the first time since moving to America as a ninth-grader.

Given the circumstances, she said, there was no pressure on her then.

“But this year, coming in as a (No. 1 seed), I felt like I had to win and I was nervous,” she admitted. “So, this time, I’m even happier to win because of that.”

The senior defeated Scarsdale’s Isabel Lin, 6-2, 6-3, to repeat as champion. And Hino’s excitement was evident as she flashed a wide smile while skipping off the court and being greeted by a crowd of friends and relatives.

“This was my first time having a lot of friends here to watch,” she said, “and I’m very thankful for that.”

Hino lived in Tokyo and Kyoto before moving to England and eventually the United States. Being an athlete, she said, helped ease the transition of each move, enabling her to befriend teammates.

She placed fourth in the state tournament last season and, with an improved serve and more powerful shot, she believes herself capable of an even better performance.

“I want to do better and I feel like I can because my tennis skills have improved,” she said. “I’d like to win the states, too.”

Headed to Queens

Sakura Hino, Isabel Lin and Ursuline’s Savannah Minter will compete in the singles bracket of the state tournament. Michelle and Daniella Rosenblit, Sadie and Scarlett McFadzen, and Edgemont’s Brinda Roy and Olivia Jee will vie for the doubles championship.

Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Keio’s Sakura Hino, Rosenblit sisters win Section 1 tennis titles

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