New Paltz Sports Information Department
Falmouth, ME – Eight years has passed since the last time the State University of New York at New Paltz women's tennis team competed for a national championship, but that was not evident in the Hawks' first round NCAA Tournament matchup against Husson (10-2 overall) University Friday at Foreside Racquet and Fitness. SUNY New Paltz played like an experienced group who was a perennial contender in the national tournament, as it rolled to a 5-0 win over the Eagles to advance to the second round for just the second time in program history.
"A very strong start in doubles was carried in to our singles play," said Hawks coach Rob Bruley. "Everyone played their part in a very good 5-0 victory."
SUNY New Paltz (18-0) lost just four points throughout the entire matchup, sweeping doubles play to set the tone for the rest of afternoon. Trinity Chow and Laura Koob lost just one point in first doubles to Husson's Hannah Malinen and Natalie Tilton in an 8-1 victory. Third doubles finished first, with the Hawks' Jenna Grandville and Courtney Koran cruising to an 8-0 sweep, while Victoria Zezula and Lindsay Haley closed out an 8-0 win shortly after in second doubles.
Chow made quick work of her match against Ashley Matlock in first singles, earning a 6-0, 6-0 win to put SUNY New Paltz just a victory away from solidifying the first-round victory. Koob at second singles, Zezula at third singles, Koran at fifth singles and Haley at sixth singles were all winning in their respective matches before Grandville officially stamped the victory after her win over Julia O'Leary in fourth singles, 6-0, 6-0.
The Hawks' NCAA Tournament run continues Saturday against No. 19 nationally ranked Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which earned a first round bye, at 10:30 a.m. The winner will then play the advancing team of No. 7 Bowdoin and Nichols Sunday at noon.
"Looking forward to a really tough test against a nationally ranked team," Bruley said. "We plan to leave everything on the court and go for it."