PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The fourth-seeded Plattsburgh State women's tennis team will return to the conference playoffs on Friday, October 17, when it takes on top-seeded New Paltz in the semifinals of the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Tournament.

ABOUT THE SERIES: Dating back to 2009, the Cardinals have yet to defeat New Paltz, falling to the Hawks in all 19 meetings. Plattsburgh State found itself in the exact same position last year as the No. 4 seed, facing top-seeded New Paltz in the semifinals, where the Cardinals were defeated. Earlier this season, Plattsburgh State also dropped a 7-0 decision to the Hawks at home.

ABOUT THE CARDINALS: Plattsburgh State (4-4, 2-3 SUNYAC) makes its second consecutive postseason appearance and will look to pull off a monumental win on Friday to advance to the SUNYAC Championship.

The Cardinals feature a well-balanced mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen who have each contributed to the team's success this season. Junior Jacklin Mitchell (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Peru) leads the way at No. 1 singles, posting a 4-4 record on the year. She is followed by junior Ava Carey (Nanuet, N.Y./Nanuet) at No. 2 singles, who has also compiled a 4-4 mark.

Depth has been a strength for Plattsburgh State, with senior Kristy Cantwell (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Plattsburgh) at No. 4 singles, first-year Carmen Marino (Buchanan, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) at No. 5 singles, and senior Marena Tubo (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal) at No. 6 singles, all owning 4-4 records this season. First-year Ava Perry (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Plattsburgh) rounds out the Cardinals' singles lineup with a 3-4 record at the No. 3 position.

In doubles action, juniors Mitchell and Carey hold down the No. 1 doubles spot for the Cardinals, posting a 5-3 record on the season. The No. 2 doubles pairing of Perry and Cantwell sits at 4-4 on the year, while first-year Abigail MacDougal (Keeseville, N.Y./AuSable Valley) and Cantwell have posted the team's best record at No. 3 doubles with a 6-1 mark. The duo also earned SUNYAC Doubles Team of the Week honors earlier this season.

Two newcomers Bianca Buel (Hyde Park, N.Y./Franklin D. Roosevelt) and Mirabelle Nonni (Essex Junction, Vt./Essex), along with junior Julia Gyebi (Bronx, N.Y./Preston), round out the Cardinals' roster.

The team is led by Coach Chris Waterbury, who returned to the program after serving as co-head coach alongside Karen Waterbury during the 2019 season. That year, the pair guided the Cardinals to a 7-6 overall record and a three-way tie for fourth place in the SUNYAC standings.
 
ABOUT THE HAWKS: The top-seeded New Paltz Hawks are seeking their fourth consecutive championship and seventh in the past eight seasons, continuing their dominance atop the SUNYAC over the last decade.

The Hawks have been unstoppable in conference play this season, going undefeated and not dropping a single set, winning all five SUNYAC matches by a score of 7-0.

Leading the way is Justine Stanejko, who holds a 7-0 record at the No. 1 singles spot. Sam Ostrander is also 7-0 at No. 2 singles, while Sydney Sladicka boasts the same record at No. 3. Patrycja Filonik, Lula Brown-Vann, and Alex Krol round out the singles lineup, combining for a flawless 21-0 record this season.

In doubles play, the pairings of Stanejko and Ostrander at No. 1, Filonik and Olivia Kunz at No. 2, and Nina Gabriel and Angelica Gabriel at No. 3 are all undefeated as well.

Head coach Rob Bruley looks to capture his 11th conference championship as he leads another talented New Paltz squad into postseason play.

WHAT'S NEXT: The winner of this matchup will advance to the SUNYAC Championship match, scheduled for Saturday, October 18, to face the winner of the Cortland–Oswego semifinal.