Underdog Eagles Picked Fifth in Skyline Poll

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Vying for its third consecutive league title, Farmingdale State has been selected to claim the 2013 Skyline men's tennis crown in voting conducted by the league's seven head coaches.  St. Joseph's-L.I. finished fifth in the poll.

Farmingdale State posted a 12-6 overall record in 2012 – including a 5-1 mark in league action – and will be led by sophomore Justin Vijungco and senior Alex Bessarabov.  Vijungco won eight matches at No. 1 singles a year ago en route to garnering Skyline Player of the Year honors.  Bessarabov posted an 11-4 mark in singles competition and was tabbed the Most Valuable Player of the 2012 Championship.   

The Rams received five first-place votes and amassed 41 overall points, while NYU-Poly earned a pair of first-place votes and compiled 29 points.  The Jays captured the league's regular season title a year ago with a perfect 6-0 mark and welcome back sophomore Chris Lysiuk, a second-team All-Conference selection last season. 

After advancing to the finals of the 2012 Skyline Championship, Purchase finished third in the voting with 24 points, followed by Mount Saint Mary (21), St. Joseph's-L.I. (19), Yeshiva (11) and Sage (8). 

The semifinals of the four-team 2013 Skyline Championship will be held on Thursday, Apr. 25, with the finals scheduled for Saturday, Apr. 27.

2013 Skyline Preseason Coaches Poll - Points
1. Farmingdale State - 41 [5]
2. NYU-Poly - 29 [2]
3. Purchase - 24
4. Mount Saint Mary - 21
5. St. Joseph's-L.I. - 19
6. Yeshiva - 11
7. Sage - 8

First-place votes in parentheses