Women's Tennis Poised to Return to Skyline Final in 2015
Patchogue, NY| The St. Joseph's College (L.I) women's tennis team looks to bounce back after their 5-0 defeat to Farmingdale St. in the Skyline Conference Championship in 2014.
In his 13th season at St. Joseph's College, head coach Glenn Nathan has his sights set on a conference title. A determined coach Natan stated: "with our strong finish in the semifinals leading into a tough finals lost to Farmingdale, I feel we have a deeper squad this year that will get us back there where anything can happen." In a poll voted on by the Skyline Conference's coaches, the women's tennis team is slated to come in second. The returning Skyline Champion Farmingdale St. received seven first place votes and finished first.
2015 Skyline Conference Coaches' Poll
1. Farmingdale State* (7) – 49 Points
2. St. Joseph's-Long Island (1) – 43 Points
3. Yeshiva – 37 Points
4. Sage – 27 Points
5. Purchase – 25 Points
6. Sarah Lawrence – 17 Points
7. Mount Saint Mary – 13 Points
(tie) St. Joseph's-Brooklyn – 13 Points
The Golden Eagles had one graduate last season and will have four returning players, including Skyline All-Conference First-Team members Erika Hesselbirg (Shirley, NY) and Shannon Merker (Flanders, NJ).
Senior Kelley McGrath (Nesconset, NY) and junior Rita Wehrli (Medford, NY) also return for the 2015 campaign.
Coach Nathan also introduces three recruits this season, freshmen Victoria Makulik (Medford, NY), Victoria Panicola (Shirley, NY), and Michelle Stanczak (Medford, NY). The trio comes to the program hoping to make an instant impact on the team.
"The new recruits make us a stronger team instantly," stated Nathan. "Their points in the lineup could account for a possible five points that could win important matches for us," he added.
Coach Nathan and his team will begin their 2015 season on Tuesday, September 8 when they travel to take on Yeshiva University. The match up will be a rematch of the 2014 Skyline Conference Tournament semifinals. St. Joseph's College claimed the 5-3 victory to advance to the final last season.
The most anticipated match of the season will be played on October 9, when the Golden Eagles seek revenge against conference rival Farmingdale at the St. Joseph's College Outdoor Field Complex. That game is scheduled to start at 5 PM
The Skyline Conference Championship Tournament will begin on Wednesday, October 21 and runs until Sunday, October 25.
