State of the SUNYAC: New Paltz tennis tops award picks

By Collin Bolebruch

Having reported on SUNYAC sports for three years now, I want the sports section to expand beyond Plattsburgh. In this column, I will explore membership issues, rivals’ seasons and the conference the Cardinals call home.

SUNYAC tennis all comes down to one weekend. Throughout most conference schedules, teams fight for months to paint the picture that is the playoffs. Tennis, now in the final three days of the regular season, has four unclaimed playoff spots — which is all of them.

Though these three days determine everything, the 27 non-conference and six conference meets the league has played so far say a whole lot, from which players will win awards to who will come out on top.

Peter J. Cahill MVP: 

Justine Stanejko, New Paltz

No, this isn’t a fun choice, but it’s the right one. The New Paltz junior, and one of the best players in her region, will likely win her third-straight Most Valuable Player this season. Before Binghamton, Stanejko is 3-0, 1-0 in singles — allowing just six points — and 3-0, 1-0 in doubles — sweeping twice — with partner Isabel van der Veen.

Last season, Stenejko defeated six All-SUNYAC players and led her team to the SUNYAC Championship and an NCAA bid. Of course, this will likely ride on New Paltz’ playoff success again.

Runner-ups: Kathryn Salamida, Oswego — 10-0, 2-0 in singles; 10-0, 2-0 in doubles — and Isabel van der Veen, New Paltz — 3-0, 2-0 in singles; 3-0, 2-0 in doubles.

Rookie of the Year: 

Sydney Sladicka, New Paltz

Sladicka has been a major piece of New Paltz’s success this season, going 2-1 as the number two in singles and 1-0 as the number one. Against Plattsburgh and Oneonta, she won her sets by a combined score of 24-5.

The first-year is one in an electric rookie doubles team alongside Angelica Gabriel. In the number-two position, the duo has gone 4-0 and won both SUNYAC matches by a combined score of 12-1. The two are playing in higher positions than established vets and will prove to be vital to team success this weekend.

Runner-ups: Angelica Gabriel, New Paltz — 3-0, 1-0 in singles and 4-0, 2-0 in doubles — and Emily DeLuca, Oswego — 10-0, 2-0 in singles and 9-1, 2-0 in doubles.

Doubles Team of the Year: 

Justine Stanejko and Isabel van der Veen, New Paltz

I think Stanejko again will three-peat this award, this time,with Van der Veen. When Stanejko’s partner Loretta Donovan graduated, All-SUNYAC First Teamer Van der Veen stepped into the first position. The two are 3-0, 1-0 before Binghamton play, sweeping Plattsburgh’s number ones. 

New Paltz’s duo is likely going to remain in the top spot through the final conference meets and playoffs, and again, its odds of winning will hinge on team success from here on out.

Runner-ups: Emily Lyga and Kathryn Salamida, Oswego — 10-0, 2-0 — and Angelica Gabriel and Sydney Sladicka, New Paltz — 4-0, 2-0.

Coach of the Year: 

Tyler Glowaki, Oswego

At this point in the season, Oswego stands at 9-0, 2-0, good for the most wins in the conference in Glowaki’s first full season. This Lakers team is vastly better than their 2023 squad that finished 6-6, 2-5.

The Lakers have defeated SUNYAC opponents Fredonia 6-1 and likely playoff team Cortland 6-1. Across its nine wins, Oswego has won 61 sets to nine losses. Oswego sports three singles players and two doubles teams 8-0 or better.

Runner-ups: Rob Bruley, New Paltz — 3-0, 2-0 — and Kelci Henn, Plattsburgh — 6-2, 1-1.

Playoffs

Headed into Binghamton, it has been clear that New Paltz is still the best team in the conference. Though the Hawks have only played three games, they have won a combined 27 sets and lost just one, sweeping both Plattsburgh and Oneonta 7-0. I expect New Paltz to be the undefeated one seed.

Yesterday’s Cardinal-Laker rivalry meet served as a tiebreaker for the two seed, which Oswego took 6-1, in the event Plattsburgh left Binghamton 3-0 and Oswego left 2-1. This is the first time the Lakers have ever beaten the Cardinals, with an 0-21 record dating back to 2000. 

Cortland, at 2-1, and Plattsburgh, at 1-2, now face off today at 3 p.m. for the tiebreaker for the third seed. Best case scenario for Plattsburgh, the Cardinals finish the season at 3-2, including a win over the Red Dragons. If Cortland also won its final game, both would finish 3-2 and the head-to-head would decide who is the third seed — likely playing New Paltz and who is the fourth — likely playing the easier opponent, Oswego.

Regardless, unless everything goes wrong, Plattsburgh will likely be in the spring playoffs for the first time in nine years. If it earns the third seed and faces Oswego, there is a chance the Cardinals could make a title meet appearance. The only way the Cardinals miss out is if Plattsburgh loses to Fredonia.

No matter what happens this weekend, I’d say New Paltz — most likely over Oswego, less likely over Plattsburgh and even less so over Cortland — is a safe pick for its third-straight championship, and final in the SUNYAC.