New Paltz Sports Information Department
Amherst, MA — The 2022-23 season came to an end Saturday for the State University of New York at New Paltz in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to hosting No. 8 Amherst College, 5-0.
"This has been a fantastic season for our program," said Hawks coach Rob Bruley. "We will take some time off to rest and reflect then we will be back in the fall stronger and ready to go. Really proud of every athlete in the program. Each and every player gave 100 percent whether in practice or on game day. Looking forward to doing this all again in 2023-24."
The 2023 SUNYAC champs rolled through round one, winning 5-0 over Mt. Saint Mary's of Maryland Friday before going up against a perennial juggernaut in the Mammoths.
Amherst swept doubles play, 8-0 in all three matchups before sealing the victory, 6-0, 6-0 in fourth and sixth singles. Amherst was up at first singles, 6-0, 3-0. Onalee Batcheller held a 1-0 lead in the second set at second singles after dropping the first set, 6-1 with Loretta Donovan trailing, 6-0, 4-1 at threes. Isabel van der Veen earned a point at fives with her match ending, 6-1, 2-1 in favor of the Mammoths.
"Although the scores look a little lopsided, we competed and represented the University and conference with pride," Bruley said. "Playing one of the elite women's tennis programs, we gave a really good account of ourselves."
SUNY New Paltz return the bulk of its roster that proved its selves as one of the best in the region this past season, only graduating graduate student Alex Chimenti who was pivotal in the Hawks' run to a eighth program championship.
