North Jersey tennis star becomes school's first county champ in final split over 11 days

NEW MILFORD – Britney Lee could've skipped high school tennis.

Her schedule is busy enough as a four-star recruit and her team has won only seven matches during her career.

But Lee has worn Ridgefield Park red for four years, mentoring teammates, showing up for matches, and building a legacy in a program that had never produced a Bergen County champion – until now.

On Sept. 29, the senior closed out Dwight-Englewood’s Sylvie Yao, 6-3, 6-3, upending the defending champion in a match split over two acts. The final resumed 11 days after it was suspended due to darkness, with Lee leading 6-3, 2-1 and on serve. She wasted no time picking up where she left off.

“She’s the GOAT of Ridgefield Park tennis,” coach Mook Iannacone said. “She had more wins in her freshman year than anyone ever had here combined. She’s proven she’s the best player in the county and one of the top two in the state right now.”

Firsts were a theme this year. This was the first time the BCWCA held a championship for singles rather than folding it into the team tournament.

Lee’s variety was on display throughout the second set, from a tough backhand volley winner midway through to her clutch serving down the stretch. She made just over 70 percent of first serves on Monday after putting less than half in play almost two weeks ago.

Still, it wasn't easy at times for Lee after visiting the doctor hours before the final to combat a lingering illness. Lee was a point away from losing control of the final after going down 0-40 while trying to serve out the match.

Then came the shot that changed everything: a one-handed, half-volley, defensive lob that floated over Yao’s head and dropped in. Lee went on to fend off three more break points in the game to claim the title.

"I was just like, whatever, I can still come back," Lee said. "I kind of just believed in myself. It's all right."

Lee’s training is a family affair. Her father, Robert Lee, is her coach, and she often practices with her younger sister Michelle, a sophomore on the team. The two are known for staying late after practice and helping newer players during summer workouts.

“She doesn’t have to do that,” said Iannacone, who has nine players on the entire roster. “She’s come to every match in four years except one. A lot of top players don't always come to every match."

Lee said she didn’t realize she was the first county champion in program history. She’ll compete in the state tournament this weekend, where she reached the quarterfinals last year.

"I feel pretty good," Lee said. "Still working on a lot. Just like, fine-tuning a lot of my shots. So, it's good. I feel confident."

Leveling the court

For years, the Bergen County girls tennis tournament was largely built around team success.

Programs were split into Large School and Small School brackets, but the format didn't guarantee the best matchups in first singles. If a top player belonged to a Group 1 team, she might never face the county's best. Even teammates with elite talent had to be separated into different flights rather than compete on the same level.

That issue sparked change.

In 2023, the BCWCA reimagined the tournament, creating a championship bracket for the top 16 seeded teams and an invitational for the rest. It was a step toward competitive balance, but didn't address the root problem in singles.

So this fall, the BCWCA took the next step: launching a true singles championship. Sixteen players, seeded by their UTR rating, now competing together regardless of background. The format mirrors the boys tournament piloted last spring by New Milford AD Joe Ricciardelli.

Players in the singles championship could also compete in the Bergen County team tournament held on Sept. 20-21. Holy Angels won the team championship after taking four of five flights, including Jaime Carlin at first singles.

"It was a collective effort from everybody," BCWCA president Nicole Pacciani said. "I can't remember off the top of my head if it was completely unanimous, but, by majority, the coaches did ask for this tournament."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: North Jersey girls tennis star becomes school's first county champ