Lyndon falls to Castleton in NAC Women’s Tennis Final

CASTLETON, Vt. - The top-seeded Castleton State College women’s tennis team swept its way to the North Atlantic Conference title, defeating fourth-seed Thomas College 9-0 in the semifinal round, and second-seed Lyndon State College 9-0 in the Championship round. Lyndon State College earned its spot in the final round by virtue of a 6-3 win over third-seed Johnson State in the other semifinal round.

Castleton’s Michelle Podnecky earned Most Valuable Player honors for the tournament earning a 6-0, 6-0 win in the semifinal round and a 6-1, 6-0 win in the final round playing first flight singles. She also teamed with Kate Bucci for 8-0 and 8-1 wins respectively in first doubles.

The Spartans dropped just one game in the 9-0 semifinal win as Podnecky, Charla Klaas, Bucci, Brynn Paraschos, Brittni Racine and Chelsea Crehan each earned singles victories. Emily Bisson and Kristen McGinn teamed for a win in second doubles while Erica Bilodeau and Lauren Fedorka wrapped up the shutout.

In the other semifinal match, Lyndon State earned two wins in doubles action, and four singles matches to earn the 6-3 victory. Rebecaa Irwin (Au Sable Forks, N.Y.), Maria Parr (Montpelier, Vt.), Amber Hartman (Readsboro, Vt.) and Erin Donnelly (Franklin, Maine) each earned singles wins for the Hornets. Johnson State’s Rebecca Quarantiello and Kim Blakeman earned singles wins. Doubles victories went to teams of Danielle Jepson (Randolph, N.H.) and Irwin, as well as Parr and Hartmen for the Hornets. Kaitlin Cunningham and Donnelly teamed for the lone Badger win in doubles action.

Castleton topped the Hornets in the final round, never dropping a set in the 9-0 win. Once again, Podnecky, Klass, Bucci, Paraschos, Racine and Crehan won in succession in the singles competitions. Teams of Podnecky/Bucci, Klass/Paraschos and Racine/Crehan each won in doubles action.

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Sunday, October 11 - Lyndon State 9, Thomas 0

WATERVILLE, Maine - Lyndon State wrapped up its regular season with a 9-0 conference victory over Thomas College.

Lyndon’s team of Margaret George (Glover, Vt.) and Amber Hartman (Readsboro, Vt.) defeated Ali Brunelle and Kayla Giroux 8-1 in the lone doubles match of the day. In singles action, Maria Parr (Montpelier, Vt.) of Lyndon State defeated Ali Brunelle 6-1, 6-1 in first singles and Kaitlin Cunningham (South Stratford, Vt.) bested Thomas' Kayla Giroux 6-2, 6-3 in second singles.  Lyndon’s Erin Donnelly (Franklin, Maine) beat Jess Driver 6-2, 6-3 in third singles for her first collegiate singles win. 

Saturday, October 10 - Becker 5, Lyndon State 4

LYNDON CENTER, Vt.  – Despite having to forfeit both a singles and doubles match, the Becker College women’s tennis team managed to squeak out 5-4 victory over Lyndon State College.

In singles competition, Lyndon's Rebecca Irwin (Au Sable Forks, N.Y.) earned a forfeit victory in the No. 1 matchup before teammate Maria Parr (Montpelier, Vt.) took the No. 2 match over Becker’s Laura Mimms 0-6, 6-1, 6-1. The Lady Hawks' Danielle Stryker topped Amber Hartmann (Readsboro, Vt.) 6-0, 6-0 in No. 3 singles and Shawna McNally downed LSC’s Margaret George (Glover, Vt.) 6-2, 6-1 in No. 4 singles.

Becker picked up two more singles win when Jessica Burdick (6-2, 6-4) and Sarah Ryzewski (6-0, 6-0) defeated Kaitlin Cunningham (South Stratford, Vt.) and Erin Donnelly (Franklin, Maine) , respectively.

In doubles play, McNally and Stryker beat Parr and Irwin 8-3; Hartman and George won by forfeit; and the team of Cunningham and Donnelly defeated Burdick and Ryzewski 8-3.

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Tuesday, October 6 - Plymouth State 8, Lyndon State 1

PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The Plymouth State University women’s tennis team swept three doubles matches and won five of six singles encounters as it defeated Lyndon State College, 8-1, in a non-conference match.

Five Panthers won two matches apiece in the victory. Sara Burke  took the No. 1 singles match without giving up a game after teaming up with classmate Rachel Figura for an 8-3 win at No. 1 doubles.

Laura Donovan and Lydia Smith  improved their record at No. 2 doubles to 4-1 with an 8-3 victory, and both followed with wins at No. 2 and No. 4 singles, respectively. Lacey Mailman and Megan Cooper were also winners at No. 5 and No. 6 singles after pairing up for an 8-0 victory at No. 3 doubles.

Lyndon State salvaged the final match of the day when Maria Parr (Montpelier, Vt.) won a No. 3 singles match in a third-set superbreaker.

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Saturday, October 3, - Castleton State 9, Lyndon State 0

CASTLETON, Vt. - The Castleton State College women’s tennis team won 9-0 in North Atlantic Conference action over Lyndon State College to wrap up a perfect 6-0 regular season schedule in conference play.

Charla Klaas took down Danielle Jepson (Rnadolph, N.H.) a win in first singles 6-2, 6-1 followed by a 6-2, 6-4 win from Kate Bucci over Rebecca Irwin (Au Sable Forks, N.Y.) in second singles. Brynn Paraschos won in third singles 6-3, 6-3 over Maria Parr (Montpelier, Vt.) followed by 6-1, 6-0 wins from Brittni Racine and Chelsea Crehan, respectively, over Lyndon's Amber Hartman (Readsboro, Vt.) and Margaret George (Glover, Vt.). Erica Bilodeau rounded out the shutout with a 6-3, 6-1 win in sixth singles over Kaitlin Cunningham (South Startford, Vt.).

Podnecky and Bucci teamed for a clean 8-0 win in first singles over Jepson and Irwin, followed by 8-0 wins from teams of Klaas and Paraschos over Parr and Hartman; and Racine and Crehan over George and Cunningham.

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Wednesday, September 30 - Lyndon State 6, Johnson State 0

LYNDON CENTER, Vt.  – The Lyndon State women’s tennis team won its fifth straight match with a rain-shortened 6-0 win over Johnson State College.

In singles competition, Lyndon's Danielle Jepson (Randolph, N.H.) beat Rebecca Quarantiello 7-5, 6-3 in the No. 1 matchup and Rebecca Irwin (Au Sable Forks, N.Y.) took the No. 2 match over Johnson’s Emily Miller 6-4, 6-0. The Lady Hornets' Kaitlin Cunningham (South Stratford, Vt.) topped Orina Umansky 6-1, 6-0 in No. 6 singles to close out the match.The third, fourth and fifth singles matches were cancelled due to rain.

In doubles play, Jepson and Irwin defeated Quarantiello and Miller 8-2; LSC’s Maria Parr (Montpelier, Vt.) and Amber Hartman (Readsboro, Vt.) beat Allyson Cunningham and Katelyn Breault 8-6; and the team of Margaret George (Glover, Vt.) and Cunningham downed Kim Blakeman and Kathleen Garrity 8-3.

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Saturday, September 26 - Lyndon State 9, Johnson State 0

JOHNSON, Vt. — Lyndon State upped its record to 2-1 in the North Atlantic Conference with a 9-0 victory over Johnson State College.

In singles competition, Lyndon's Danielle Jepson (Randolph, N.H.) beat Rebecca Quarantiello 6-2, 6-2 in the No. 1 matchup and Rebecca Irwin (Au Sable Forks, N.Y.) took the No. 2 match over Johnson's Emily Miller 6-2, 6-3. The Hornets' Maria Parr (Montpelier, Vt.) topped Allyson Cunningham 6-2, 6-0 in No. 3 singles.

In No. 4 singles, LSC’s Amber Hartmann (Readsboro, Vt.) took three sets to defeat Katelyn Breault 6-4, 2-6, 10-5 while teammate Margaret George (Glover, Vt.) won a 6-3, 6-4 decision over Kim Blakeman in No. 5 singles. Kaitlin Cunningham (South Stratford, Vt.) topped Orina Umansky 6-0, 6-0 in No. 6 singles to close out the match. 

In doubles play, Jepson and Irwin defeated Quarantiello and Cunningham 8-7 (8-6); Parr and Hartman beat Miller and Breault 8-4; and the team of George and Cunningham downed Umansky and Blakeman 8-3.

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Sunday, September 20 - Lyndon State 9, Thomas 0

LYNDON CENTER, Vt. — For a second consecutive day, the Lyndon State women’s tennis team recorded a 9-0 victory over Thomas College.

In singles competition, Lyndon's Danielle Jepson (Randolph, N.H.) defeated Ali Brunelle 6-0, 6-4 in the No. 1 matchup and Rebecca Irwin (Au Sable Forks, N.Y.) took the No. 2 match over Thomas' Kristen McLean 6-0, 6-1. The Hornets' Maria Parr (Montpelier, Vt.) topped Dennise Ruiz 6-0, 6-1 in No. 3 singles.

In No. 4 singles, LSC’s Amber Hartmann (Readsboro, Vt.) beat Jess O’Neal 6-1, 6-0, while teammate Margaret George (Glover, Vt.) won a 6-1, 6-0 decision over Kayla Giroux in No. 5 singles. Kaitlin Cunningham (South Stratford, Vt.) closed out the day by defeating Jess Driver 6-0, 6-0 in No. 6 singles. 

In doubles play, Jepson and Irwin defeated Brunelle and McLean 8-4; Parr and Hartman beat O’Neal and Ruiz 8-1; and the tandem of George and Cunningham topped Driver and Giroux 8-1.

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Saturday, September 19 - Lyndon State 9, Thomas 0

LYNDON CENTER, Vt. — The Lyndon State women’s tennis team evened its overall record at 2-2 with a 9-0 victory over Thomas College.

In singles competition, Lyndon's Danielle Jepson (Randolph, N.H.) defeated Ali Brunelle 6-1, 6-2 in the No. 1 matchup and Rebecca Irwin (Au Sable Forks, N.Y.) took the No. 2 match over Thomas' Kristen McLean by an identical 6-1, 6-2 score. The Hornets' Maria Parr (Mopntpelier, Vt.) topped Dennise Ruiz 6-0, 6-0 in No. 3 singles.

In No. 4 singles, LSC’s Amber Hartmann (Readsboro, Vt.) beat Jess O’Neal 6-3, 6-0, while teammate Margaret George (Glover, Vt.) won a 6-0, 6-1 decision over Kayla Giroux in No. 5 singles. Kaitlin Cunningham (South Stratford, Vt.) closed out the Lyndon sweep in  by defeating Jess Driver 6-0, 6-0 in No. 6 singles. 

In doubles play, Jepson and Irwin defeated Brunelle and McLean 8-2; Parr and Hartman beat O’Neal and Ruiz 8-0; and the team of George and Cunningham topped Driver and Giroux 8-0.

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Sunday, Sept. 13 - Lyndon State 7, Mitchell 2

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Lyndon State College women’s tennis team earned its first victory of the season with a 7-2  win over Mitchell College.

The Lady Hornets recieved victories in singles play from Becca Irwin (Au Sable Forks, N.Y. - 2-6, 6-0, 6-3), Maria Parr (Montpelier, Vt. - 6-1, 6-0), Amber Hartman (Readsboro, Vt. - 6-0, 6-0), Margaret George (Glover, Vt. - 6-0, 6-0) and Kaitlin Cunnigham (South Stratford, Vt. - 6-0, 6-0). In doubles action, Irwin and Hartman defeated Ilana Papernik and Caitlyn Brown 8-0 and the team of George and Cunnigham downed Julie Embley and Kate Jeon 8-0.

The Mariners picked up wins at both number one singles and doubles. Julie Phelps earned the lone singles point against LSC’s Danielle Jepson (Randolph, N.H.). Phelps lost the first set 3-6 but bounced back for 6-1 wins in the second and third sets. She also teamed with Erica Fazio to defeat Jepson and Parr in doubles action by an 8-3 final.

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Saturday, Sept. 12 - Castleton State 9, Lyndon State 0

LYNDON CENTER, Vt. - The Lyndon State women's tennis program dropped its home opener to Castleton State by a score of 9-0.

In singles competition, Castleton's Michelle Podnecky defeated Danielle Jepson (Randolph, N.H.) 6-0, 6-0 in the No. 1 matchup and Kate Bucci took the No. 2 match over Lyndon's Rebecca Irwin (Au Sable Forks, N.Y.) by an identical 6-0, 6-0 score. The Spartans' Brynn Paraschos topped Maria Parr (Montpelier, Vt.) 6-2, 6-0 in No. 3 singles.

In No. 4 singles, Brittni Racine beat Amber Hartman (Readsboro, Vt.) 6-1, 6-0, while teammate Chelsea Crehan won a 6-0, 6-0 decision over Margaret George (Glover, Vt.) in No. 5 singles. CSC's Erica Bilodeau defeated Kaitlin Cunningham (South Stratford, Vt.) 6-1, 6-2 in No. 6 singles action. 

In doubles play, Podnecky and Bucci defeated Jepson and Irwin 8-0; Paraschos and Charla Klaas beat Parr and Hartman 8-2; and the team of Emily Bisson and Kristen McGinn topped George and Cunningham 8-0.

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Monday, Sept. 7 - Russell Sage 8, Lyndon State 1

TROY, N.Y. - The Lyndon State women's tennis program opened its 2009 season by dropping a tough 8-1 decision to Russell Sage College on the Gators' home courts.

In singles competition, Sage's Erica Fitzgerald defeated Danielle Jepson (Randolph, N.H.) 6-1, 6-0 in the No. 1 matchup and Kathryn Saulsbery took the No. 2 match by besting Lyndon's Rebecca Irwin (AuSable Forks, N.Y.) 6-0, 6-0. LSC earned it's lone victory on the day in No. 3 singles when Maria Parr (Montpelier, Vt.) topped Megan Holmes 6-3, 6-2.

The Gators' Briana Bixler beat Amber Hartman (Readsboro, Vt.) 6-1, 6-0 in No. 4 singles, teammate Ashley Brennan won a 6-0, 6-1 decision over Margaret George (Glover, Vt.) in No. 5 singles and Julia DeMarcoof Sage defeated Kaitlin Cunningham (South Sratford, Vt.) 6-2, 6-1 in No. 6 singles action. 

In doubles play, Fitzgerald and Saulsbery defeated Jepson and Irwin 8-1; Holmes and Devin Money beat Parr and Hartman 8-4; and the team of Bixler and Brennan topped George and Cunningham 8-0.

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Lady Hornets focused on continuous improvement, unity

LYNDON CENTER, Vt. – More than 10 years ago, Lyndon State College established its women’s tennis program under the direction of its Head Women’s Basketball Coach Sue Henry. Now, more than a decade later, Henry has returned to lead the Lady Hornets into could be an exciting season of play in the North Atlantic Conference.

With six experienced student-athletes on the roster, Henry feels confident Lyndon will be competitive in the season ahead.

“When I first started the program, I took several of my basketball players and made them into functional tennis players, but now that the team is established I have the luxury of working with women who are experienced,” she said. “My first goal was to attract a minimum of six individuals who could play together and gel as a team. I wanted players who would work with the team and work with me. I think we’ve found those people and I am very excited about how the season will play out.”

The LSC roster features only one returnee from a year ago – junior Rebecca Irwin – as well as newcomers Kaitlin Cunningham, Margaret George, Danielle Jepson, Amber Hartman and Maria Parr. Despite an apparent lack of depth, Henry is confident her team has what it takes to be a factor in the 2009 NAC season.

“It’s still early and we’ve only had four or five practices, but I think we’ll be ready,” she said. “I’ve been away from the game for a while, so I don’t know what the competition is like, but gauging from what we’ve done in the past I think we are going to do well.”

In addition to workouts at the Dudley Bell Tennis Center, the Lady Hornets have been putting in time at the LSC Fitness Center preparing themselves, physically and emotionally, for the rigors of the season ahead.

“One of the things I’m excited about, other than the fact we now have a strength and conditioning coach, is that our players are working hard on their fitness,” Henry said. “They’re getting stronger and faster, and that will benefit us greatly throughout the season.

“As I said, our initial goal was to get a team that would gel and that has happened,” she continued. “We want to work hard, improve as the season progresses and be respectful to our opponents to the point we to win the NAC Sportsmanship Award at the end of the season. To turn this program around we will need a major commitment and unity. If our players can do that, they will become the well-rounded student-athletes we need to compete.”