New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz opened up its dual match season Friday afternoon against visiting Manhanttanville College and earned a 6-1 victory.
 
After an exhibition match at home to start the year, the Hawks played in a tournament at Union College last weekend before returning home to host their first match on North Tennis Courts Friday, taking on reigning Skyline champions in the Valiants.
 
SUNY New Paltz swept doubles play with third doubles pair Nina Genzone and Olivia Kunz making quick work of their match with a 6-0 win. Freshmen duo Sydney Sladicka and Angelica Gabriel finished next with a 6-4 victory, while Justine Stanejko and Isabel van der Veen grinded out a hard-fought win at first doubles, 7-5.
 
"A very confident start to the dual match season playing last year's Skyline Champions Manhattanville," said SUNY New Paltz coach Rob Bruley. "The doubles teams really stuck to their game plan taking all three doubles matches in some tight matchups."
 
 
Kunz and Gabriel each won their singles matches, 6-0, 6-0 at fifth and sixth singles, respectively, while van der Veen pulled out a 6-4, 6-2 win at third singles. Amirah Alston played a tough match as well, winning, 6-2, 6-1 at fours with Stanejko securing a 6-1, 6-1 win at ones. Sladicka came back to win set two after falling, 6-2 to begin her second singles match, but fell in the tie break, 10-5.
 
"The confident play in doubles rolled over into our singles play, winning five out of six singles matches," Bruley said. "This is perfect preparation for Saturday's conference match with Plattsburgh. The perfect way to start our season."
 
The Hawks return to their home court Saturday to begin SUNYAC play, hosting Plattsburgh State at 1 p.m.


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