Saw Mill Club Kids have the winning EDGE on the tennis court
Saw Mill Club Kids have the winning EDGE on the tennis court
Caitlyn Ferrante, Lucy Carpenter, Claire Weis, Olivia Ashton and Sachin Ganesh all had the winning Edge in Eastern Tennis Association (ETA) and scholastic tournament competition this spring and winter season.
The group is all members of the Saw Mill Club’s advanced junior competition Edge program coached by an all-star staff of professionals featuring recently graduated collegiate standouts and seasoned veterans under the hands-on direction of program founder Zuka Mukhuradze.
“After graduating more than 25 players from the Edge program in 2014, of which more than 20 are currently playing college tennis in Division 1 to Division 3 schools, today’s roster of players is younger and with so much promise, ” said Mukhuradze.
“That promise is already being fulfilled by Caitlyn, Lucy, Claire, Olivia and Sachin,” said Mukhuradze. “They are as good a group of players that we ever had come through the Edge program since it started in 2008. They are a daily inspiration to our other players in the program that hard work, dedication and determination are the three keys to success.
“They are truly going to be special and we look forward to more success on the court for them in the coming years,” said Mukhuradze. ‘We are also looking for big things to come from Luke Queiroz, Lindsey Weis, Alyssa Margolin, David Domanski, Marko Arboleda, Justin Greenfeld and Noah Payes.
Ferrante has a USTA national ranking of No. 120 in the girl’s 14’s division and is in the top 20 in the ETA 14’s at No. 17. She also is No. 67 in the ETA 16’s. At only 14, she has won three ETA girl’s 16’s tournaments in a row. Also she placed fifth in a USTA National Super Six girl’s 14’s tournament.
Ferrante was the No.1 singles player for the Yorktown High School varsity team as a eighth grader and has a handful of 16’s singles titles and runner-up showings in doubles this season.
Carpenter is ranked in both the ETA 12’s and 14’s divisions. She is No. 17 in the 12’s and No. 71 in the 14’s after winning a 14’s singles tournament this spring. She has been runner-up several times along with a strong showing in the Empire Cup national doubles tournament with partner and fellow Edge player Olivia Ashton.
As an 8th grader, Ashton played No.2 singles on the Pleasantville High varsity team and is projected to play No. 1 this upcoming season.
Saw Mill Club’s Director of Tennis, Bob Bull, cites the camaraderie of the Edge players as a big reason for their success. “Zuka and the rest of the pro staff emphasis how it is a team effort, that the Edge players are responsible to one another, in training and competing. The Edge kids have made great friendships here. The Edge program also influences our Junior Training and 10 and under programs, providing inspiration to those kids that are newer to the game”
