New Paltz Sports Information Department
Amherst, MA — The State University of New York at New Paltz moved onto the second round of the NCAA Tournament after a dominant performance in round one against Mt. Saint Mary's College of Maryland Friday.
The Hawks (13-4) swept doubles play to get out to an early 3-0 lead before earning quick wins at second and fifth singles to secure a consecutive game in the NCAA DIII Tournament for just the third time in program history.
"Did a nice job, especially in the doubles. That's what won it for us in the doubles," said SUNY New Paltz coach Rob Bruley. "It was a good match. Again, we carried on where we left off in SUNYACs in the doubles, like we've done all season. Very strong, very confident and that carried on in the singles. Different players won matches for us and we're looking forward in playing top tennis tomorrow."
Justine Stanejko and Loretta Donovan swept at first doubles, 8-0 defeating the Seahawks' Diana Levi and Hannah Gorel. Onalee Batcheller and Tatiana Barnett won 8-2 at second singles, while Isabel van der Veen and Alex Chimenti grinded out an 8-4 victory in third doubles.
Batcheller took her second singles match, 6-0, 6-3 with van der Veen sealing her win at fives, 6-1, 6-0. Stanejko was winning at ones, 6-0, 4-3, Barnett at fours, 6-1, 5-3 and Nina Genzone at sixes, 6-4, 3-1 before the match officially ended.
The win pits the Hawks against the No. 8 nationally ranked team in the country according to ITA in the hosting Amherst College Mammoths, which earned a first-round bye. Amherst enters the match 12-4 overall and 8-2 in the NESCAC with its only losses on the season against the top-5 teams in the nation.
"It's a privilege in playing one of the best teams in the country," Bruley said. "We don't have anything to lose. Tomorrow, we go in as an underdog. We can go in playing freely, swinging freely and give it 100 percent, and go in representing the college and the conference. I'm sure they're going to show us some respect so we'll see what happens."
The Hawks are set to face the Mammoths at 10 a.m.
