The women’s tennis club of Eastern Athletic, in Blue Point, won Eastern sectionals after hard-fought matches in over 90-degree weather on Aug. 5 and 6, and will be heading to nationals Oct. 14 to 16 to play against other teams across the country.

“We have an amazing group of talented tennis players who all played their hearts out and managed to beat out some fierce competition,” said team captain, Jaime Stickney.

Long Island is home to a myriad of adult teams of different age groups, from 18 to 65 and up. All beginners start at a 2.5 NTRP and can achieve up to a 5.0 NTRP, the equivalent of a professional player.

The Eastern Athletic team won the Eastern sectional 18-plus women’s 4.0 league.

The league comprises a day team and night team, with the Eastern Athletic team mostly playing in the night league, as the majority of members have children and careers, making scheduling a challenge.

The team actually came in second place during regular league season play in their night league, but won against the day team to win the Long Island regional championship to advance to Eastern sectionals, where they will be playing top teams from all over New York State.

“Most of the matches are usually finished within two hours, but some of our teammates played some amazing [matches] over three hours in the blazing heat!” said team member Jen McCormack, adding, “Morgan Milleisen, from Bayport, played four singles matches in the grueling heat. These ladies are great competitors and have gut, grit, stamina, passion, great sportsmanship, and love and respect for each other! Everyone played an important role in getting us this far! We had doubles players step up to play singles to give some singles players a break! It was truly a team effort!”

During the season, one of the team’s top players tore her calf muscle in a tough match against Lynbrook. With the help of Long Island Sports and Rehabilitation, in Holbrook, she was able to get back to playing in time for playoffs and sectionals. Due to COVID and other factors, not all members were able to participate in sectionals.