With a conference championship looming, Trinity Chow was just stalling in her match against SUNY Oneonta's Julieta Eulau. After Chow and her doubles partner Laura Koob earned a win in first doubles, she was trailing in her first singles match and was anxiously waiting for one of her teammates to close out with a win. As Chow was about to serve, down 5-3 in the second set, she all of a sudden heard screaming, followed by her teammates running from one side of the Binghamton Tennis Center to the other. It took Chow a few seconds for the realization to sink in, but after a couple moments she realized the match was over. SUNY New Paltz senior Lindsay Haley sealed a 6-0, 7-5 win and she and the Hawks were finally crowned SUNYAC champions.
 
"I was shocked," Chow recalled. "I didn't know what to do and all of a sudden all the parents are banging on the window with their fists up high. I was like, "Oh my god." And I dropped to the ground. I was so shocked. I was so happy and I went back to grab my towel and started crying. I was crying happy tears. I was so happy for the team."
 
The feat concluded a stellar first season for Chow, a freshman out of Glen Cove, New York. Chow was thrusted into the starting line up at first singles and first doubles. Her performance helped SUNY New Paltz claim an undefeated 9-0 season and catapulted her to earning the 2018 Peter J. Cahill Most Valuable Player Award.
 
"I was just happy to be a part of the team. This team really feels like a family and that is the one thing, that I am happy about being here. I didn't think I was going to be first singles and I didn't think I was going to be first doubles — I was kind of hoping I would be second singles, but I ended up taking first. But, it also just takes off the pressure from the rest of the team because we have a really deep team. I just didn't expect it at all. I was just happy that I was able to contribute and help this team get a championship and be undefeated too."
 
SUNY New Paltz had gone to its 17th-straight conference championship game in 2018, but hadn't won the title since 2010. It was seven long years for Hawks coach Rob Bruley, but with the experience returning coupled by arguably one of the strongest freshmen classes brought into the program, led by Chow, the team finally broke that streak to claim their fifth SUNYAC title.
 
"Although it was just my first year, it was very emotional," said Chow. "After seven years New Paltz was always runner up, and now we're champions. It must've felt good for Lindsay too, especially since she was the last match to win. It was just very exciting."
 
Along with her 7-2 record in first singles this year, Chow and fellow freshman Koob, put together an impressive 9-3 mark in first doubles this season. Chow was happy for her teammate in earning a well-deserved Rookie of the Year accolade and is excited for the duo to continue their success together for years to come. 
 
"I was really happy she came to New Paltz. She is a great partner," Chow said. "She is an aggressive player and that really helps me, because my game also compliments her game. Having an aggressive first doubles [team], really sets the bar and it feels great to have another compatible partner. She is a great player. I wish I met her earlier, but I am just glad she came here and that we're partners. She is a great person."
 
Along with Chow earning MVP and Koob being crowned Rookie of the Year, head coach Rob Bruley was rightfully named Coach of the Year. Chow and Koob were also named Doubles Team of the Year, while Victoria Zezula and Haley — the latter also won SUNYAC Tournament MVP — was named doubles First-Team All-SUNYAC. The Hawks' Courtney Koran and Emma Messenger were named doubles Second-Team All-SUNYAC to go along with Jenna Grandville, Haley and Koran all earning singles All-SUNYAC nods.
 
"Amazing sweep for New Paltz tennis," said SUNY New Paltz coach Rob Bruley. "These awards are a culmination of dedication and hard work. This is a very proud moment for me and the team."
 
The Hawks will have some time to enjoy their fall success, as they wait until next April for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament to begin. For Chow, she'll take the time to rehabilitate her injured wrist and get ready for her first taste of NCAA action.
 
But with her Hawks career just beginning, the bar is now set high for Chow and the rest of the program in the upcoming years.
 
"I just want to play my game. That is how I got there and just have fun to be honest. Being a part of this team is supposed to be fun, and right now for me it is fun," she said. "I hope to win every year. With Rob, he's a great coach. He definitely deserves Coach of the Year. He's always there for us. He is kind of like a second dad… It just felt really good to win for him. He's the coach, but tennis is more of an individual sport and people that are in control are the players. So, really all he can do is support the player as much as he can and he really supported us."
 

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In addition to Trinity Chow winning the MVP of the conference, the Hawks also landed seven others on the SUNYAC All-Conference list, which include:
 

Rookie of the Year/Singles First-Team All-SUNYAC: Laura Koob 

Laura Koob ran into her first year of collegiate tennis being a force to reckon with, taking home Rookie of the Year, as well as Singles First-Team All-SUNYAC. Koob found herself at the team's second single spot this season going undefeated throughout the regular season and proved her talent by taking a massive win over Oneonta in her first SUNYAC championship. She also shared success in her first doubles match with fellow freshman, Trinity Chow.

Doubles Team of the Year/ Doubles First-Team All-SUNYAC: Trinity Chow and Laura Koob 

Trinity Chow and Laura Koob were an impressive freshmen duo this season, continuing by taking the SUNYAC doubles competition by storm. They took two key first double SUNYAC wins first in the opening round against Fredonia in the semifinals (8-1), then moved on to an 8-3 victory over Oneonta in the Championship match.

Doubles First-Team All-SUNYAC: Victoria Zezula and Lindsay Haley 

Victoria Zezula and Lindsay Haley teamed up at second doubles for the Hawks and ended up with an undefeated regular season record and a First-Team All-Conference doubles team award. Zezula and Haley's success with second doubles put the Hawks in a good position of taking the lead in SUNYAC, catering to the team's typical strengths with singles. They took Fredonia in the semifinals (8-3) and skimmed one last win of the tournament against Oneonta (9-8).

Singles Second-Team All-SUNYAC: Jenna Grandville 

Since receiving Rookie of the Year last year, Jenna Grandville has not slowed down. She had a successful season performing at singles, especially throughout the SUNYAC tournament. She won one of her most impressive matches against Fredonia in the fourth single competition.

Singles Second-Team All-SUNYAC: Lindsay Haley

Haley entered her final season for SUNY New Paltz at the sixth singles and had a very ambitious fall season, completing the SUNYAC championship tournament with the best results possible. Haley started the weekend with a sweep against Fredonia in sixth singles and continued with another key win over Oneonta as well. Haley left Binghamton as a tournament MVP and SUNYAC champion to conclude her prosperous senior year for the Hawks.

Singles Second-Team All-SUNYAC: Courtney Koran 

Koran took up this season at the fifth singles spot and found herself going undefeated throughout the season in conference play, while closing out the weekend with her biggest wins of the year. The sophomore had a 6-0, 6-0 sweep against Fredonia and continued with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Oneonta in the SUNYAC finals.

Doubles Second-Team All-SUNYAC: Courtney Koran and Emma Messenger 

Courtney Koran and Emma Messenger teamed up as a sophomore duo playing at second doubles for the Hawks. Pooling their strengths and efforts, they ended up as a Second-Team All-Conference doubles team selection. Among their best wins includes their 8-2 victory over Fredonia in the SUNYAC semifinal.