Westhampton Beach's Stabile, Buchen Repeat As Division IV Doubles Champions

For the second straight season Westhampton Beach senior Julia Stabile and junior Matilda Buchen can call themselves Division IV doubles champions. The All-State tennis standouts topped William Floyd’s Gianna Martin and Lydia Van Cott 6-2, 6-3 Tuesday to claim their second consecutive crown.

“Our opponents are very skilled, but we felt prepared,” Stabile said. “Knowing that this is my last year, I’m glad we were able to end this tournament on a high note together.”

Stabile and Buchen, along with six of their teammates, are headed to the Suffolk County championships, which begin Thursday, October 12, at Smithtown East High School.

“I’m so impressed,” Buchen said. “So many of them came so far, so it’s nice to see such an improvement.”

But there was also a lot in the junior’s game to be wowed about. She had a big 40-all get that won the point for the Hurricanes duo to put them up 2-0 in the first set, and grabbing two poach attempts to start the second set with a 1-0 lead.

“I figured since I’m already tired, I might as well keep running,” Buchen said, laughing. “I just tried to get to every ball I could. I didn’t give up when I saw the ball short.”

Stabile also shined, placing the ball in the back-right corner for a 5-2 lead in the first, and slamming the ball down the line after Buchen forced her opponent to go coast-to-coast to take a 2-0 lead in the second set.

“Coach Reed did some drills and went over some strategies with us,” the senior said, adding she and Buchen were not fazed by their opponents’ two-back formation, used against opponent that are strong serve-and-volleyers. “Coach Reed did some drills and went over some strategies with us. We knew we had to play our game and do what we do best.”

Stabile was also quick to point to her partner’s skillset.

“I’m always mesmerized by her shots and her movement on the court,” she said. “She’s so talented.”

“Playing and winning with your best friend is the best thing I could ask for,” Buchen added.

And they weren’t the only pair to see success Tuesday. Seniors Taylor Lagattolla and Ana-maria Bichinashvili bounced back to top William Floyd’s Olivia Phillips and Drew Wiegand in three sets to place third.

“Our communication was amazing, and we almost read each other’s minds,” Lagattolla said. “We know each other so well after playing together all season. We’re just great together. We’re a perfect match.”

Bichinashvili’s serve was on, and Lagattolla was solid at the net, while both had some big wins from the baseline.

“It was stressful, but I love Taylor — she’s the best partner I’ve ever had,” Bichinashvili said. “She has a complete game, and she’s always bringing me up.”

The pair had to face not just one, but two sets of teammates across the tournament. They took down the sister pairing of Kylie and Ana Way, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7-2), to make it to the semifinals, where they fell to Stabile and Buchen, 6-1, 6-1.

“It was the worst thing ever,” Bichinashvili said, laughing, “but Taylor and I stuck together. I’m happy now. We were motivated.”

Lagattolla won the point that helped the Hurricanes duo tie the third set 2-2 before running away with it.

“Adrenaline was pumping through us and we put it all together,” the senior said. “We’d come this far, and when we get going, we’re a great team.”

The Way sisters also rebounded from their loss to Lagattolla and Bichinashvili, first storming back to beat Southold’s Nyla Olsen and Reagan Trehome 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 to earn a spot in counties, and then topping Shoreham-Wading River’s Hannah Rafuse and Mia Wentz 6-0, 6-4 Tuesday to place fifth. Eighth-grader Ava Borruso also took fifth with a 6-0, 6-3 win over Riverhead’s Christina Pagnozzi, and freshman Zoë Grellet-Aumont dropped a tiebreak set to Shoreham-Wading River’s Nina Nelson to finish eighth.

“Zoë played a tough three-set match, but she played great,” said head coach Matt Reed. “I was already happy having eight girls advancing to counties, which is almost the starting lineup, but to see almost every girl win is great results.”

The rain delays and more in the forecast will make things a little tougher, as the divisions were pushed back and county individual tournaments were moved up to get matches in before the team tournament begins Monday.

“The rain delays made this tennis season very tough. We’ve never had just one day of rest,” Reed said Tuesday. “It’s a grind. It’ll be about who can recover the fastest. They’re really testing their fitness.”

Stabile said regardless of the outcomes she’s excited to see her Hurricanes reaching new heights.

“I love seeing our team succeed. It shows that hard work pays off,” she said. “Our team is doing amazing this year, and I can’t wait to see how far we can go.”