Kylee Hung of Saddle River Day accepts the championship trophy from NJSIAA Executive Director Colleen Maguire after winning the singles final during the 2026 NJSIAA girls tennis singles & doubles finals at the Si Qin Family Indoor Tennis Center at Princeton University in Princeton, NJ on 10/11/26.Scott Faytok | For NJ.com
In the latter years of your high school sports career, it’s often difficult to stand out among upperclassmen.
The elevated skill sets, enhanced strength and the increased knowledge of the sport makes each senior that much more difficult to face on the court.
Kylee Hung not only excelled in her junior season but also surpassed her opponents in her ability to command the court.
In her final season of high school girls tennis, Hung thrived with another perfect season and a state singles title.
For that, Kylee Hung is the 2026 NJ.com Girls Tennis Player of the Year.
For Saddle River Day, Hung again led the team at first singles and posted her second straight perfect season.
“She is the kind of player every coach dreams of having: incredibly hard-working, confident yet humble, mentally tough, an outstanding student, and an all-around exceptional person,” said Saddle River Day head coach Adam Brown.
Brown, in his first year leading Saddle River Day, said he was happy to have a player like Hung on the team.
“It was incredible to watch her take on and defeat some of the best players in New Jersey,” Brown said. “Regardless of the opponent or the circumstances, Kylee continued to grind through every point, make adjustments when necessary, and close out games with tremendous determination.”
Hung went 23-0 in her senior season, winning all but one set.
During team matches, Hung defeated Dwight-Englewood’s Sylvie Yao, Glen Rock’s Elizabeth Shulkin and Montclair Kimberley’s Maddie Lewis.
Hung, a George Washington University commit, prevailed in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) State Singles Tournament, winning the first title of her career and the first for the Saddle River Day girls tennis program. Hung advanced to the quarterfinals last season.
“I’m super excited,” Hung said on being the first Saddle River Day player to make it to a singles tournament final.
“It’s my last year playing high school tennis, so I’m just going to go out there, fight and hopefully bring home the championship for my school.”
And she did. After a 6-3, 6-3 victory against Wu, Hung celebrated at the Princeton University indoor tennis courts with her family and coaches.
“I’m really proud,” she said after winning the singles title.
“”I’m just glad to make history for our school and represent Saddle River Day well. Every year I’ve gotten ‚little bit better and went a little bit farther in the state tournament. Having gotten the championship, I’m super glad to get in my final year.”
In the singles tournament, Hung defeated stellar players from across the Garden State, including Rumson-Fair Haven’s Molly Martin in the quarterfinals, Valerie Sinitsyn in the semifinals and Ashley Wu from Wilberforce in the final.
Brown said this had been Hung’s ultimate goal before the season started, and he had seen her work towards that goal.
“What impressed me most about Kylee’s game was her ability to adapt to any opponent,” he said. “She had no glaring weaknesses and could handle whatever was thrown her way, find a way to take control of the point, and put herself in a position to win. Her combination of skill, mental toughness, and relentless determination made her an incredibly special player to coach.”
“Watching her achieve the goal she set for herself at the beginning of the season was truly rewarding, and I couldn’t be prouder of what she accomplished.”
The writing was on the wall for Hung even earlier this season. Hung won the Bergen County Singles Tournament for the first time. It was also the first Bergen County Singles title for Saddle River Day.
Hung is also a four-star recruit and one of the top high school girls tennis players in the entire state. Her 8.83 UTR ranks seventh overall and is in the top three among those who play at the high school level.
Hung is a staple for the Saddle River Day girls tennis program. Her name is etched in the history of the school and in the state.
