Long climb to the top: Inside Guilderland girls' tennis' historic state semifinal run

Guilderland's journey to the top of Section 2 Class AA girls tennis was a steady climb from the middle of the pack. Coach Deb Murray had faith in her 2026 team, knowing they were ready to achieve greatness. With five seniors who had been with her since they were 11 and 12, the team was exceptional and committed to the game. Last season, Guilderland beat Saratoga Springs but lost to them in the final.

This season, Guilderland edged Shaker 5-4 to win the sectional title and has since won two more matches to advance to the Division I state semifinals on Friday. Guilderland will face Section 1 champion Horace Greeley at 9:30 a.m. If Guilderland wins, they will compete in the title match in the afternoon. This is the first time a Guilderland team has made it to the state semifinals, and there are few teams in the state that have reached this level.

The team's success is attributed to the dedication and hard work of Coach Deb Murray, who has been with the team since its inception. The seniors, who have been with Murray since they were 11 and 12, were motivated to win the title for her. The team's depth and strong lineup, with eight juniors, two sophomores, one freshman, and one eighth grader, have also contributed to their success.