Sage drops opener to Castleton State, 6-3
Sage's women's tennis team fell 6-3 on Wednesday to Castleton State in the team's opener.
Albany, NY----The Sage Colleges women's tennis team opened the 2009-2010 season on Wednesday hosting the Spartans of Castleton State College at Prospect Park. Castleton State would post the 6-3 win to spoil the Gators' season opener. A year ago, Sage posted a 10-5 overall record with one of those losses coming at the hands of the Spartans, 6-3.
On Wednesday, the Spartans would snap their one-match losing skid with the win.
Pacing the Gators on the day was senior Christina Gray (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) who played at first singles and first doubles with sophomore Erica Fitzgerald (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury). A year ago, Gray earned Skyline Conference Player of the Year honors after going 11-1 in singles and doubles. Her only loss last season came at the hands of sophomore Michelle Podnecky (Bridgewater, VT/Woodstock Union). After that opening day loss in her first match of 2008, Gray won her next 11 matches without dropping a set.
Gray defeated Podnecky, 6-2, 6-2 at first singles and teamed with Fitzgerald for an 8-4 win at first doubles over Podnecky and sophomore Katie Bucci (Wakefield, RI/South Kingston).
Sage's sophomore Briana Bixler (Highland, NY/Highland) added a win at sixth singles as she beat rookie Chelsea Crehan (Essex, CT/Valley Regional), 6-1, 6-4.
Sage returns to action on Sunday, September 6 when they host Yeshiva University in the Skyline Conference opener. A year ago, the Gators went 6-2 in conference play and were 5-4 victors over Yeshiva. Castleton returns to action on Saturday, September 5 travelling to Johnson State College for a 1:00 p.m. conference match.
9/2/2009 at Prospect Park, Troy, NY Castleton 6, Sage College 3
Singles competition
1. Christina Gray (SAGE) def. Michelle Podnecky (CST) 6-2, 6-2
2. Charla Klaas (CST) def. Erica Fitzgerald (SAGE) 6-2, 6-1
3. Kate Bucci (CST) def. Kathryn Saulsbery (SAGE) 6-1, 6-2
4. Brynn Paraschos (CST) def. Megan Holmes (SAGE) 3-6, 6-2, 7-5
5. Brittni Racine (CST) def. Ashley Brennan (SAGE) 7-5, 6-2
6. Briana Bixler (SAGE) def. Chelsea Crehan (CST) 6-1, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. Christina Gray/Erica Fitzgerald (SAGE) def. Michelle Podnecky/Kate Bucci (CST) 8-4
2. Charla Klaas/Brynn Paraschos (CST) def. Kathryn Saulsbery/Megan Holmes (SAGE) 8-5
3. Brittni Racine/Erica Bilodeau (CST) def. Briana Bixler/Ashley Brennan (SAGE) 8-4
Match Notes: Castleton 1-1 Sage College 0-1 T-4:20 A-25
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