November 12, 2021
The Suffolk County Community College women's tennis team has served up two National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) championships, an NJCAA regional team championship and is the NJCAA Division III National runner-up.
Lauren Schiraldi of St. James and Pamela Pillco of East Hampton took the No. 1 National Doubles Championship at the NJCAA Championships in Peachtree City, Georgia earlier this month.
Pillco also won the No. 2 National Singles Championship and Schiraldi finished second in the No. 1 singles flight.
“I knew a little about Lauren from her high school years, but Pamela was a surprise. I knew we had some talented players and a team to start building,” said Suffolk County Community College women's tennis coach Glenn Nathan, who was a former Suffolk Men's Tennis champion and Suffolk graduate.
“I know the journey. I knew winning races at Nationals was something that was possible because of our play during the season,” Nathan said. “The goal was for the team to go to the National Championship and come out victorious. Every time we played a match the team got together. This is what you want. A competitive team that can execute.”
“Our goal was to go to Nationals,” said 19-year-old Suffolk Women's Team captain Schiraldi, a Smithtown High School East graduate and 2020 Smithtown East Athlete of the Year as well as the 2020 Smithtown Musician-Athlete.
“I am so grateful to Coach Nathan and SUNY Suffolk for the opportunity to play and use my God given gifts to represent the college on the National stage and win a 1st Doubles Nationals title and a 1st Singles Nationals Finalist” , he said. Schiraldi. “While it has been an amazing season as well as a dream come true for me, it has been an honor to play under coach Nathan and alongside Pamela Pilko. I'm also incredibly grateful for my parents and everyone who supported me,” she said.
Pillco, who has been playing tennis since she was five, said she was nervous during her first three matches but settled after words of encouragement from coach Nathan. “I'm proud of myself,” Pillco said, “and I'm thinking about transferring to a four-year college after Suffolk and continuing to play tennis.”
Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Edward Bonahieu congratulated the team, the individual champions and the coach.
“Our student-athletes teach us that you get out what you put in,” said President Bonagiou, “and lessons learned on the field can be carried over into the classroom and into life. Clearly, the women's team made a huge commitment of time and effort under exceptional conditions to bring home a winning season. Congratulations to our entire team, Lauren, Pamela and Coach Nathan,” said Bonahieu.
College Associate Dean of Athletics and Special Events Neftali Collazo praised the team and individual champions. “Despite facing obstacles throughout this season, the Women's Tennis Team was able to accomplish a lot. Their achievements both as a team and individually speak to their talent and dedication and I thank them. Congratulations!” said Neftali.
This press release was created by Suffolk County Community College. The views expressed here are the author's own.
