Sep 27, 2014
Flushing, NY – The SUNY Oneonta Red Dragon's traveled to the Billie Jean King USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadow, NY with a trimmed down squad as two of their top players were competing in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Championships.  On the grounds where The U.S. Open Tennis Championships are contested the Red Dragons played valiantly in a tough 4-5 loss to the Baruch College Bearcats.

In the doubles field at number three flight the newly formed team of freshman Samantha Felice (Seneca Falls/Mynderse Academy) and senior Marina Salzano (Katonah/John Jay) came away with an impressive 8-3 triumph each posting their first collegiate win.  At the number two flight Christine Santarsiero (Rye Brook/Blind Brook) and Samantha Butcher (Sidney/Sidney Central) got down 3-6 in the match then recuperated to deadlock the contest at 6-6.  The next two games were hard fought with several deuces but finally the Red Dragon number 2 team had to shoulder a 6-8 well fought defeat.

SUNY Oneonta, now down 1-2 after doubles competition, took the courts for singles play.   Emily Denney competing for the first time in the number 3 position lost the first set 2-6 before she rebounded to win the second set 6-3 and then closed the match out hitting great down line return of serves to secure the final set 6-2.  This was the second singles win in a row in the same amount of days for Denney who is showing terrific form and perseverance at this point in the season. 

Also highlighting the day was Samantha Butcher (Sidney/Sidney Central) gaining her very first singles collegiate win in straight sets 6-4, 6-3.  While not be outdone Samantha Felice (Seneca Falls/Mynderse Academy) at the number 6 spot played poised and determined tennis and did not squander the opportunity in her first collegiate singles appearance garnering a 6-3, 6-2 conquest.    

With the dual match tied at 4-4 number five singles player Marina Salzano (Katonah/John Jay) found herself the lone Red Dragon combatant left on court and tried to secure the team victory.  Salzano dropped the first set 2-6 and was up 3-2 in the second set, but fell just short of tying the singles contest in a brilliantly fought encounter of two very determined players.  That result ultimately secured victory for the Baruch College Bearcats 4-5.

The Lady Red Dragons will have a day to rest before they head to Canton, NY on Monday, September 29^th to face the always strong St. Lawrence College Saints.
 
Singles Competition
1. Allie Jackson-Hing (BARUCH) def. Kelly Gochan (Lake Grove/Sachem North) (ONE-WT) 6-0, 6-1
2. Hayley Bester (BARUCH) def. ChristineSantarsiero (ONE-WT) 6-1, 6-1
3. Emily Denney (ONE-WT) def. Dzhessika Bishenkevi (BARUCH) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2
4. Samantha Butcher (Sidney/Sidney Central) (ONE-WT) def. Diana Federkova (BARUCH) 6-4, 6-3
5. Jessica Zukhovich (BARUCH) def. Marina Salzano (Katonah/John Jay) (ONE-WT) 6-2, 6-4
6. Samantha Felice (Seneca Falls/Mynderse Academy) (ONE-WT) def. Helen Lee (BARUCH) 6-3, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Allie Jackson-Hing/Hayley Bester (BARUCH) def. Kelly Gochan (Lake Grove/Sachem North)/Emily Denney (ONE-WT) 8-3
2. Dzhessika Bishenkevi/Jessica Zukhovich (BARUCH) def. ChristineSantarsiero/Samantha Butcher (Sidney/Sidney Central) (ONE-WT) 8-6
3. Samantha Felice (Seneca Falls/Mynderse Academy)/Marina Salzano (Katonah/John Jay) (ONE-WT) def. Helen Lee/Lizabeth Yagupolskiy (BARUCH) 8-3