After competing in a non-scoring match versus Union College nearly two weeks ago, the women’s tennis team came away with its first victory against SUNY Cortland on Saturday, Sept. 9.
The Hawks were slated to play State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) rival Oneonta the same day, but the match was postponed due to inclement weather.
“It’s tough because these matches are important to determine the No. 1 seed,” head coach Rob Bruley said. “We are trying to reschedule for October and just pray we get good weather.”
New Paltz was able to come away with a 5-0 sweep of Cortland before the rain stopped play.
Fourth-year Brittany Grandville and first-year Jenna Grandville kicked things off for the Hawks by sealing an 8-0 victory at third doubles, while fourth-year Carol Tyson and second-year Victoria Zezula followed suit by capturing an 8-3 victory at first doubles.
Going for the sweep, fourth-year Emi Lewis and first-year Courtney Koran were able to close out doubles for the Hawks.
Third-year Lindsay Haley and Koran beat the weather, taking sixth and fifth singles, respectively, which was enough to squeak out the victory.
The tandem of Tyson and Zezula’s performance at first doubles earned them SUNYAC doubles team of the week in New Paltz’s first dual match of the campaign.
Bruley’s team has a busy weekend ahead, with home matches against SUNY Plattsburgh on Friday, Sept. 15, at 3.30 p.m. and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 1 p.m. followed by the Vassar Tournament across the river on Sunday, Sept. 17.
In attacking the weekend sets, Bruley said that he wants his team to be confident but not overconfident.
“They have to have the mentality that they are stronger than the other girl, but they will be swinging free,” Bruley said. “I was pleased with their serves [this past weekend] and I want them to stay competitive.
“Sometimes you will get more out of a tight loss than steamrolling teams,” Bruley continued.
This will be the Hawks first homestand of the new season and their only one until the season picks back up in March.
“We are excited to play at home,” Bruley said. “We would like to get more home games, it’s definitely more relaxed than being on the road because the team’s roommates or family can be there.”
Following this weekend, New Paltz will travel to Saratoga Springs for the International Tennis Association (ITA) Tournament at Skidmore College from Sept. 23-25.