The SUNY New Paltz women’s tennis team enters the 2008 season with hopes for a third consecutive SUNYAC title and berth to the NCAA tournament. The 2008 squad returns a solid core of five veterans, after losing second singles player Eri Yamakawa to graduation and third singles player, Liz Beirne transferred. Head Coach Rob Bruley has several promising newcomers joining the team.
New Paltz posted a record of 7-3 in the fall portion of 2007 on their way to a 10-9 record overall, winning the SUNYAC title and producing three SUNYAC single champions and sweeping the doubles competition.
The veterans returning to the starting list include seniors Dana Lim (New City/Clarkstown South) and Lindsay Trifiletti (Mamoroneck/Rye Neck), juniors Lyndsey Lovinger (Miller Place) and Kerri Serkes (Massapequa) and sophomore Stephanie Schara (Huntington/Kellenberg Memorial).
Leading the way will be Lim, a two-time defending champion at first singles. Schara will fill the number two spot, after only playing third doubles last year. Lovinger, who was the 2007 fourth singles champion, moves to third singles in 2008. Trifiletti will make the move to fourth singles from fifth singles and Serkes, a finalist at sixth singles last year, elevates to fifth singles. Filling the sixth singles gap is newcomer Juliette Brandon (Bronx/Cardinal Spellman).
In doubles play, Lim’s experience combined with Schara’s 5-9 height and power should be tough at first doubles. Lovinger will team with Trifiletti, who played third doubles last year. At third doubles, Serkes will mentor first year Calder Mill-Lexfold (Brockport).
Ingrid Maryansky (Forest Hills) will compete for playing time and completing the roster are Megan Hanesian (Fiskdale, MA/Tantasqua) and Melissa Mizerak (Farmington/Victor).
The team begins their season on Sunday, August 31 when they host to Plattsburgh at 11:00 a.m.
*Photo by Stockton Photo
