Hartwick Nearly Sweeps Alfred in First Conference Match, 8-1
ONEONTA, NY – The Hartwick women's tennis team nearly blanked visiting Alfred University in their first conference matchup of the year. With the 8-1 victory, the Hawks improve to a perfect 2-0 (1-0 Empire 8) while Alfred falls to 0-1 on the season.
Hartwick's one loss came in singles competition at the first flight. Sophomore
Rose Natoli (Endwell, NY/Maine-Endwell) and Alfred's Tori Pellegrino battled themselves into a tiebreaker. Natoli saved three match points but Pellegrino ultimately came out on top, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5).
Kelly Napolitano (Mt. Sinai, NY/Mt. Sinai) representing the #3 flight, won her singles contest by a perfect 6-0, 6-0 clip over Sarah Grace. In two matches, the junior has only surrendered one game.
Caitlin O'Brien (Glenville, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) faced a super-tiebreaker against Inda Gillett in her match at 5
th singles. She would take the match 6-3, 5-7, 10-6.
Heidi Rice (Canandaigua, NY/Marcus Whitman) (#2),
Kelli Ryan (Plattsburgh, NY/Seton Catholic) (#4) and
Jaclyn LaSita (Wading River, NY/Shoreham-Wading River) (#6) also added to the Hawks' win column in solo action.
The duo of O'Brien and LaSita wrapped up doubles first in a near sweep, 8-1. Napolitano and her partner Ryan finished next by a winning score of 8-3. Natoli and Rice rounded out doubles by overcoming their opponents 8-4. The Hawks are perfect in doubles on the year.
'Wick pauses Empire 8 play and will face off with Bard College at home on September 8
th. First serve is at 4 p.m.