Altamonte Springs, FL — The State University of New York at New Paltz women's tennis team opened up its annual spring break trip with a statement victory Monday, defeating Connecticut College, 6-3 at Sanlando Park.
 
The win marks the first over a New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) program, one of the best conferences for Division III tennis in the country. The Hawks earned the win after arriving in Florida Sunday afternoon following a 15-hour flight delay due to heavy winds from the snowstorm that followed Saturday night in the Northeast.
 
Despite the lack of rest, SUNY New Paltz began its four-game spring break slate Monday against the Camels and although it dropped two of three in doubles play, came back to win five of six in singles action to earn the victory — three of which went into tie-breakers.
 
"Probably one of the biggest wins in the program's history outside of the conference," said Hawks coach Rob Bruley. "We were 2-1 down in doubles, but third doubles came through with our winning the doubles and we went on to win a very close match in singles. We needed to win four of them and we ended up rolling off five wins."
 
SUNY New Paltz fell at first and second doubles, but its third doubles team of Isabel van der Veen and Loretta Donovan grinded out an impressive 8-6 win in the final doubles match that proved pivotal heading into singles play.
 
Trinity Chow got the individual action started, as she handily defeated her opposition, 6-1, 6-1 to tie the match at three apiece. Tatiana Barnett then won her matchup against Conn College's Ella Griffths, 6-1, 6-2 to put her team ahead with Onalee Batcheller, van der Veen and Donovan all winning their respective matches in extra set to close out the victory.
 
"That doubles point keeps us alive. It's the turning point… going into there it gives you a little glimmer of hope," Bruley said. "And again, Trin played a tremendous game against a really talented No. 1. Being a senior it means a lot more and she just leaves it out there every time. It's all really good stuff."
 
Batcheller, van der Veen and Donovan each came back after dropping the first set. Batcheller rallied from losing the first 3-6, to win the next two, 6-3, 10-1, while van der Veen won, 1-6, 6-4, 10-7, and Donovan 1-6, 6-3, 10-7.
 
"We played well in doubles, but they were a little bit stronger more clinical. Came down to three matches that went to tie breakers and we won them all," Bruley said. "Fantastic day for the program. It's pretty hot down here so it's a great way to start off, very proud of everyone. Everyone played some exceptional tennis, a very high level down here against a team that comes from one of the top conferences in the country out of the NESCAC and beating them 6-3 is probably one of the biggest results in program history."
 
The Hawks continue their spring break trip with a 9:30 a.m. match against Rhodes College Tuesday before taking on St. Lawrence University and Colby-Sawyer College Wednesday and Thursday at Gatlin Park and USTA National Campus, respectively.  

****************
To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow us on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.