Tennis ‘Dynasty’ Continues

Holy Angels’ tennis players are continuing the Academy’s dynasty with a series of exciting achievements. AHA’s varsity standouts at this fall’s Bergen County Women’s Coaches Association Tournament include first singles title winner Jaime Carlin (’27) of Norwood, and first doubles runners-up Stephanie Chan (’24) of Closter and Evangeline “Eva” Cho (’25) of Harrington Park. Carlin, Chan, and Cho have been named 2023 First Team, All-County for their athletic accomplishments.

In addition, alumna Erin Ha (’23), who currently plays tennis for Yale, has received the J. Barry Stanford Special Achievement Award from the YMCA. Ha resided in Tenafly during her time at Holy Angels.

“I think we are able to maintain such a competitive team due to the girls spreading their good experiences to others,” AHA Varsity Tennis Coach Meaghan Williams shared. “I have hosted Wings Tennis Camp (for younger girls) for the last several summers with the help of alumnae players including my daughter Fiona ’15, Ashley ’19 and Brooke Hess ’22, Adrianne Alfonso ’16, Erin Ha ’23, Keelin Robbins ’22, Alison Chung ’23.” Williams added, “I try to focus on the positive in each young lady. I try to continuously learn new ways to help the players improve their games physically and mentally. This time we have together is so precious; my hope is for the girls to have fun while improving their game in some way. I am grateful for the seniors who have committed and supported the program for their four years, whether they earn a starting position or not.”

Jaime Carlin has been playing tennis for about 12 years, and has been involved in competitions for the past seven years.

“I enjoy the competition,” Carlin shared, “and I love the adrenaline rush it gives me. I also love how many life lessons tennis has taught me, and the amazing friends I have made from all across the country!”

Before her matches, Carlin fuels both body and mind. She prepares with a dynamic warm-up, and music that helps her get psyched.

“I am most proud of my L3 titles in a few doubles tournaments,” she added, referring to the L3 program that promotes tennis techniques and life skills.

“My goals for the future are to get my UTR (a respected worldwide rating system) to an 8.5 before the next school year starts, to win states sometime in my high school tennis career, and to eventually get recruited for college,” Carlin noted.

Erin Ha’s honor from the YMCA distinguishes her as one of Bergen County’s most outstanding high school student-athletes. The J. Barry Stanford Award is presented to recent high school graduates who have received significant recognition in sports.

Ha, whose tennis uniform was retired in the spring of 2023, is two-time High School All American. She signed her letter of intent to play tennis for the Yale Bulldogs in February 2023.

Ha transferred into AHA as a junior. She posted an overall record of 72-5, which included finishing 13-2 as a junior and 25-1 as a senior. Ha made All North Jersey, First Team All-League, and First Team All-County all four years of high school. She earned First Team All-State recognition in 2020, 2021, and 2022, and Third Team All-State in 2019. She was State Singles Finalist in 2021 and 2022, and was the 2021 USTA Girls 16 Doubles National Championship Finalist. Her achievements include becoming USTA Girls 18 Doubles Winter Nationals Finalist, USTA Girls 16 Singles National Indoor Champion, and 2022 USTA Girls 18 Doubles National Indoor Finalist. In 2021, Ha and Brooke Hess (AHA ’22) individually played their way to the State Singles Semifinals, and faced each other for the right to move on to the finals. Ha emerged victorious and finished as state runner-up.

Ha also received the Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award from the Parents Club of West Point. Her volunteer activities include coaching younger athletes through GRIT, a program started by Chennie Kim (AHA ’20).

AHA Varsity Tennis Team members are Jaime Carlin Stephanie Chan, Evangeline Cho, Mia Custodio, Alexandra Darmanin, Sophia Rigoli, Francesca Rigoli, Karina Smal, and Julia Toker.

JV players include Kara DePasquale, Sophia Emmi, Amalia Ferolie, Taylor Glynn, Chloe Hahn, Riley Huang, Megan Kim, Mona Lee, Karalyn Lee, Dahlia Moondra, Julia Paek, Victoria Perez-Vega, Natalie Tabbone, and Jiyoon “Christina” Yeo.