Oct 01, 2014
 
The battle for bragging rights in the world of women's tennis took place today at the Dr. Joseph A. Heissan Tennis Courts on the campus of SUNY Oneonta.  The SUNY Oneonta Red Dragons took on their neighboring rival the Hartwick Hawks and won the community clash with a resounding 9-0 victory.

The Red Dragons with a full and healthy lineup got back on the winning track by taking all courts in both doubles and singles.  Senior Brynn Sussman (Highland Mills/Monroe-Woodbury), who was just named SUNYAC Player of the Week and partner Michelle Spencer (Homer/Homer) fell behind early at number one doubles 2-3 but quickly recovered to run off the next six games to clinch victory.   At the number two position Kelly Gochan (Lake Grove/Sachem North) and Emily Denney got off to a slow start, also falling behind 0-3 early in the match.  They quickly made the adjustment and went on to win the next eight games and prevailed 8-3.  At the number three flight Christine Santarsiero (Rye Brook/Blind Brook) and Keri Piccochi also won with the identical score of 8-3 as they were never threatened in the match.

With a commanding 3-0 lead going into singles competition the Red Dragons kept the foot on the peddle and completed the sweep claiming victory on all six courts.  At number one singles Brynn Sussman (Highland Mills/Monroe-Woodbury) surrendered the first 2 of 3 games before recovering to a resounding 6-3, 6-0 conquest.  Keri Piccochi found her form after a one-week layoff and got the 6-2, 6-2 win at the number four flight.  The other highlight was Christine Santarsiero (Rye Brook/Blind Brook) regaining her winning style with an overwhelming landslide victory 6-0, 6-1.

The Red Dragons will go back on the road and close out the fall season by heading north to the Rochester area to play St. John Fisher this coming Friday, October 3 at 4 PM.  Thereafter the Red Dragons will begin preparation for the SUNYAC championships the following weekend.
 
 
Singles competition
1. Brynn Sussman (Highland Mills/Monroe-Woodbury) (ONE-WT) def. Nicole Schepisi (HC) 6-3, 6-0
2. Kelly Gochan (Lake Grove/Sachem North) (ONE-WT) def. Kelly Napolitano (HC) 6-3, 6-1
3. Michelle Spencer (Homer/Homer) (ONE-WT) def. Steph Luce (HC) 6-4, 6-2
4. Keri Picciochi (Flushing/The Mary Louis Acamdemy) (ONE-WT) def. Kristen Napolitano (HC) 6-2, 6-2
5. Emily Denney (ONE-WT) def. Caitlin O'Brien (HC) 6-1, 6-2
6. ChristineSantarsiero (ONE-WT) def. Lauren Noyes (HC) 6-0, 6-1
 
 
Doubles competition
1. Brynn Sussman (Highland Mills/Monroe-Woodbury)/Michelle Spencer (Homer/Homer) (ONE-WT) def. Nicole Schepisi/Lauren Noyes (HC) 8-3
2. Kelly Gochan (Lake Grove/Sachem North)/Emily Denney (ONE-WT) def. Kelly Napolitano/Kristen Napolitano (HC) 8-3
3. ChristineSantarsiero/Keri Picciochi (Flushing/The Mary Louis Acamdemy) (ONE-WT) def. Steph Luce/Michaela Finnegan (HC) 8-3