BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Bloomfield’s Nina Abalos remained determined, no matter what the challenges, as the Montclair Kimberley Academy top-seeded sophomore overcame leg cramps and a strong challenge from Shore Regional’s second-seeded freshman phenom Alina Vysochenko to emerge as the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s state singles tournament champion, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, on Thursday, Oct. 19, at Mercer County Park in West Windsor.
“Just an incredible performance from Nina and a very exciting moment for MKA tennis,” said veteran Cougars coach Bill Wing. “She was dehydrated from working so hard out there against a really good player in Alina, and up 5-1 in the third set, she persevered through leg cramps, got back on a good pace out there and played strong to finish winning a state championship.”
Abalos, who improved to a perfect 23-0 this season heading into this week’s N.J. prep tournament, had to call for help from the trainer on hand during the third set, but just kept battling through any adversity she faced.
“I was in a lot of pain and all I thought of was how bad of a timing it was to get cramps because I was up,” Abalos said. “Thankfully, while I was taking my medical timeout, my whole MKA team gathered around and it gave me a huge boost, especially when I saw our first doubles team coming over to support me even though I know it was extremely hard for them after facing a tough loss.
“They showed so much positivity, one even jumping up and down, and they really made me smile and motivated me further to continue. I told myself that I will do everything I can to win the title for the support and sacrifices made by my family, the MKA team and friends and coaches from GSTC, who have supported me to get to this point.”
The state singles title also came on a very special day for another reason for Abalos – it was her 16th birthday.
“It was one of the best birthdays I could hope for,” said the MKA super sophomore. “To have my whole family, the MKA family and my GSTC family all there to support and congratulate my win and celebrate my birthday with me was icing on the cake.
“I’m so grateful to my team members who missed a day of school to warm me up and even stay late after my match to have cupcakes.”
As far as the singles final went, it began with Abalos winning the first set fairly comfortably, 6-3, after assuming a 4-1 lead following a double fault.
The three games Vysochenko won vs. Abalos were the most the MKA first singles phenom had allowed in any match this season. But that was before the Shore star emerged victorious in the second set.
As she approached the pivotal third set, Abalos took time to consult with her coaches and poised herself for a strong finish.
“We told her to have a little more patience, take to a pace that works for her and just play strong,” Wing said. “Alina was a terrific opponent and is a very good player in her own right, so it took a tremendous effort by Nina, especially with the leg cramps she developed in that third set, to just gut it out, which she did.
“She is such a hard worker and a big part of the team that she loves and they love her.”
In addition to watching Abalos capture the state singles championship, MKA also could take pride in its first doubles team of seniors Hannah Lewis and Katie Chung, who also reached a state final at Mercer County Park.
MKA became just the sixth team in N.J. scholastic girls tennis history to have a state finalist at both singles and doubles, joining Millburn in 2007, 2015 and 2016; Haddonfield in 2011; and Kent Place in 2019.
Abalos is also the second MKA tennis player to win a state singles title, joining Chisako Sugivyama, also a standout at the University of Michigan, who captured her state championship back in 2003.
Despite being edged by Tenafly’s tandem of Kay Considine and Zoe Han, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5, the Cougars’ standout doubles duo have enjoyed their own spectacular season and also inspired their teammates.
“It was extremely special to have Katie and Hannah join me in the state finals,” Abalos said. “And, I want to make sure to impress that the whole team had a great season. It’s a rare feat that both singles and doubles of the same team get to state finals and I’m so happy that we were able to make history together!
“Hannah and Katie are one of the most amazing doubles pairs I’ve seen play. They trust and communicate with one another so well and they are always a joy to watch. Every time we play a team match, they never fail to cheer on the rest of the team even if they are still in their match.
“I remember while in one of their state matches this year, they were down 2-8 in the third set tiebreaker. Everyone was so nervous for them and if they were not there in person, they were on call with someone who was.
“When they came back and won the tiebreaker, everyone was cheering wherever they were. It was a moment that astonished me and a moment I won’t forget.”
The entire MKA community will not soon forget the 2023 Cougars girls tennis team and their accomplishments. They may not have won the overall Non-Public team state championship after being edged 3-2 by their archrival Newark Academy in the Non-Public, North semifinals on Thursday, Oct. 12, but as Essex County Tournament champions once again, with Abalos winning the county singles title, and a fine 18-1 season in dual matches entering the Tuesday, Oct. 24, final regular season match vs. Newark Academy, there has been plenty to be happy about for all involved in “Cougarville.”
‘I’ve been so proud to coach this MKA team,” Wing said. “Nina capped it all off with a state singles championship, Katie and Hannah battled right to the end in their doubles state final and the entire team contributed in so many ways to make this a very special season.”
Photos Courtesy of Montclair Kimberley Academy Athletics
Montclair Kimberley Academy’s Nina Abalos captures girls tennis state crown added by Steve Tober on
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