Meet Syracuse.com’s 2025 All-CNY Girls Tennis Squad

Syracuse, N.Y. — The 2025 All-Central New York girls tennis team features 12 players selected by reporters. Among them are the four finalists for player of the year: Baldwinsville’s Ayla Kalfass, Mira Nadzan and Sonia Nadzan, and Skaneateles’ Eva DeJesus. The winner will be revealed at the annual All-CNY Sports Awards presented by Syracuse Orthopedic […]

Syracuse, N.Y. — The 2025 All-Central New York girls tennis team features 12 players selected by reporters. Among them are the four finalists for player of the year: Baldwinsville’s Ayla Kalfass, Mira Nadzan and Sonia Nadzan, and Skaneateles’ Eva DeJesus.

The winner will be revealed at the annual All-CNY Sports Awards presented by Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists. The event is scheduled for June 23, 2026, inside the Liverpool High School Auditorium. More details can be found here.

Here are the 2025 All-CNY girls tennis all-stars:

Madelyn Barretta

School:
Oneida

Class:
Junior

Position:
Singles

Future plans? College? Playing any winter or spring sports?

Tennis in college.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

Coach Meeker, always pushing me harder.

What’s your favorite memory with your team this season?

Regionals. It was very happy and full of cheering.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Travel through time.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

Coco Jones (to) see how she plays.

Lindsey Chong

School:
Fayetteville-Manlius

Class:
Junior

Position:
Doubles

Future plans? College? Playing any winter or spring sports?

I am getting ready for the golf season in the spring and have been training all winter to get better at both tennis and golf.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

My biggest inspiration has been my parents because of their support and their successes in both golf and music.

What’s your favorite memory with your team this season?

My favorite memory has to be our team winning sectional championships for the third year in a row and our first doubles win after being down multiple match points.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I would want to time travel so I could see the future and go back into the past.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

I would trade places with Hermione Granger to see what it would be like living in Hogwarts and use magic.

Eva DeJesus

School:
Skaneateles

Class:
Senior

Position:
first singles

Future plans? College? Playing any winter or spring sports?

Playing D-III tennis at SUNY New Paltz, majoring in biology.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

My family, because they always support me in what I want to do and celebrate my accomplishments.

What’s your favorite memory with your team this season?

Going to sectional finals.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Teleportation, because I can go anywhere I want in the world.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

Serena Williams, because I want to know how it feels to win that many Grand Slams.

Rowan Doyle

School:
Christian Brothers Academy

Class:
Senior

Position:
first singles

Future plans? College? Playing any winter or spring sports?

I look forward to golfing on the CBA team this spring while continuing to play tennis recreationally. I’m excited to be attending Princeton University in the fall, where I will study French, art history, and other subjects in the humanities.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

My family has always been my biggest inspiration. My parents and my brother have supported and motivated me for my whole life. They’re my best friends, and I admire them all for their tenacity and great senses of humor.

What’s your favorite memory with your team this season?

Our team loves a good meal after a match. We had so much fun getting ice cream, pizza and Chick-Fil-A this season thanks to coach Rick, and our banquet was a blast. I love getting to spend time and become closer with my teammates off the court.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I would like to have the ability to talk to animals. I’ve always loved animals, and I think it would be really interesting to have a conversation about how they see the world.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

I would definitely trade places with Phil Rosenthal from the show “Somebody Feed Phil.” Being able to make a career out of eating different foods, meeting people from around the world, and always being on vacation sounds like a dream.

Kaylee French

School:
Oneida

Class:
Junior

Ayla Kalfass

School:
Baldwinsville

Class:
Senior

Position:
first singles

Future plans? College? Playing any winter or spring sports?

Flag football in the spring, while continuing tennis. I plan on going to college to ultimately get my PharmD. Hoping to finalize my college decision to be in warmer weather.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

Overall, my relationship with Jesus provides me with daily inspiration and strength. My parents are definitely such a huge support to me in everything I do. In relation to tennis, my coach Chris Galle always pushes me to be better and supports my tennis goals.

What’s your favorite memory with your team this season?

Getting to the sectional finals as a team. Everyone played their best and although we lost, we went through the season undefeated and with a positive mindset.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I would definitely choose the ability to heal. This would allow me to free others from disease and illness, both physically and mentally, and also optimize my own personal well-being.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

I would trade places for just one day with a female professional athlete because it would give insight into what true mental toughness looks like. This would allow me to gain a perspective on strength that goes beyond muscles and medals.

Julia Kim

School:
Fayetteville-Manlius

Class:
Freshman

Future plans? College? Playing any winter or spring sports?

I plan to continue with tennis throughout high school.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

My mom, because she is always there for everyone with a smile and she has supported me through everything.

What’s your favorite memory with your team this season?

My favorite memory this season was going to New York City for states because it was really fun and a great experience traveling with my teammates and playing against some of the top players.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I would want teleportation because I would be able to go wherever I want instantly, without having to worry about driving or long plane rides.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

I would want to be Carlos Alcaraz to experience what it is like to play at the highest level and to play against some of the best in the world, like Jannik Sinner and former players like Nadal and Federer.

Mina Leopold

School:
Fayetteville-Manlius

Class:
Seventh grade

Erin McLain

School:
Fayetteville-Manlius

Class:
Senior

Position:
Second Doubles

Future plans? College? Playing any winter or spring sports?

In college, I want to study neuroscience or biology and participate in research.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

My mom has been my biggest inspiration because she works very hard at her job that helps many people. Even if she’s awake until 3:00 am she always goes above and beyond for her patients and family.

What’s your favorite memory with your team this season?

Going to New York City for states is my favorite memory because I was able to spend time with my teammates and have a great experience.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

If I could have any superpower, I would want teleportation so I could travel the world.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

I would trade places with my mom to experience what it is like to be a doctor.

Mira Nadzan

School:
Baldwinsville

Class:
Junior

Position:
first singles/doubles

Future plans? College? Playing any winter or spring sports?

My future plans consist of focusing on my academics, competing in more USTA tournaments and playing golf in the spring for my school’s team. I’ve also begun to look at colleges and tour/visit campuses, which is really exciting.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

My biggest inspiration is my parents. I work my hardest every single day in all aspects of my life in hopes that I can make them proud and show them how grateful I am for all of the opportunities and resources they have provided me with. They have always supported me unconditionally, pushed me to be the best version of myself, and taught me the values of discipline, perseverance, and humility. Seeing the sacrifices that they’ve made for me motivates me to stay focused, work hard, and never take my opportunities for granted.

What’s your favorite memory with your team this season?

My favorite memories with my team this season were placing fourth at states alongside my younger sister and winning my third sectional title. Although we didn’t place as high at states as we had hoped, Sonia and I had a historic run for Baldwinsville girls tennis, and we take a lot of pride in that accomplishment. Winning my third sectional title (and my first in doubles) was especially meaningful because it was my first doubles sectional championship and I got to win it with my best friend.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

If I could have any superpower, it would be shape-shifting, because then I could be anyone or anything I want to be at any given moment. It’s extremely versatile, as I wouldn’t be locked into one single ability, so I think it’s by far the best superpower.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

If I could trade places with anyone for a day, it would be Tyler, the Creator. He is one of my favorite musical artists, and I admire his ability to convey his emotions so beautifully and productively through his music. I would love to experience his creative process firsthand and see how he turns such intense personal thoughts and emotions into art that resonates with so many people. He also seems very positive, upbeat, and easy-going, so I think a day in his shoes would be very enjoyable."

Sonia Nadzan

School:
Baldwinsville

Class:
Freshman

Position:
First doubles

Future plans? College? Playing any winter or spring sports?

Since tennis is a year-round sport for me, I will continue to play throughout the winter, spring, and summer. I’ll continue to focus on my academics, spending time with my loved ones, and putting myself first.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

I don’t have one single inspiration but every day I look up to my parents, sister and personal coach. They drive me to be the best version of myself and they continue to support me tremendously throughout every aspect of my life. Part of the reason that I’m such an ambitious person is that I’m surrounded by people who show me that hard work is the only way to success and there are no shortcuts.

What’s your favorite memory with your team this season?

I have so many amazing memories from this season with my team, and specifically with my partner and sister, Mira. If I had to choose one favorite memory, I would choose winning individual sectionals. It was both of our third times winning sectionals, but our first time playing in sectionals together. Another great memory was making the semifinal at states. I remember how much joy, relief, and satisfaction flooded my body when we won that match to be in the final four. Even though the results weren’t exactly what we had hoped, our run at states was historic.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I would probably choose the power to read minds. I have always been so interested in the nature of our minds and how everyone has a different outlook on life. Being able to see other people’s perspectives on life would result in a lot fewer pointless arguments and miscommunications.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

I would choose to trade places with my favorite musician, Kendrick Lamar. His lyricism shows his intelligence and outlook on life that I would love to adopt for a day. His music represents many serious topics like love, hate, pressure, injustice, and fear, and I would enjoy understanding how he tackled tough situations considering his circumstances growing up. The way he conveys his emotions into such beautiful and meaningful pieces of music is so admirable. Maybe I could even see some unreleased songs that are in the process of being written.

Sadie Toole

School:
Fayetteville-Manlius

Class:
Freshman

Future plans? College? Playing any winter or spring sports?

I plan on playing tennis in college, I also might try out for junior varsity lacrosse.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

My biggest inspiration has been my teammates because they encourage me to do my best.

What’s your favorite memory with your team this season?

My favorite memory with my team this season is going to New York City and spending time with my teammates. I love laughing and having fun and my teammates always love to laugh.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I would love to teleport as my superhero so I can go anywhere I want in the world because I love to travel.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

I would trade places with my dog so I can get a day to myself and not have to worry about anything.

Coach of the Year

Phil Rudolph

School:
Fayetteville-Manlius

No. of years coaching?
42

Who inspires you to coach in your sport?

All the wonderful student-athletes, along with my fellow teachers and coaches that I have had the great honor to work day in and day out over these years. I have been overwhelmed by their talent, effort, unselfishness, humility and kindness.

What is your favorite sports memory from this season?

Obviously, the sectional championship match is up there, especially since we had to win the last two matches being played and we had to lose the first set in both, and in one hand had to survive multiple match points to come back and win in three sets. However, the everyday moments in practice, bus rides, matches and everything in-between that make up the fabric of a season are truly my favorite.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

Really not interested in trading places. For better or worse, just prefer to stick with being myself.

What is your favorite quote from your favorite sports movie?

Don’t really have any favorite quotes. Mostly remember the ones that made me laugh.