The Plattsburgh State tennis team ended the weekend with a pair of wins against the Cortland Red Dragons and the Oswego Lakers.
The Cardinals (7-2, 2-1) faced off against Cortland (2-5, 0-4) on Saturday looking for a win, and with the help of a sweep by their doubles teams, they got one.
With back-to-back SUNYAC wins, PSUC’s conference record improved to 2-1. This is the most SUNYAC wins the Cards have had since 2012, when they finished fourth in the conference tournament in Binghamton.
PSUC head coach Annmarie Curle understood the importance of the weekend for her team.
“I am proud of the effort put forth by each team member to push us forward in our progress,” Curle said.
Following the Cortland match, the Cards got another sweep in their doubles matches against Oswego (1-6, 0-4).
Junior Sierra Barrett and sophomore Rukshana Abdeen were doubles partners for both matches over the weekend. Barrett has had a number of partners for doubles throughout the season; Abdeen is her third new partner on the season.
“I have been on the team for three seasons now, and I think that’s helped me connect with my team throughout the season,” Barrett said.
In addition to changing the partnerships, the team has worked on improving its play in doubles altogether.
“A major focus has been placed on improving our doubles movement, communication and overall strategy,” Abdeen said.
Senior captain Kelci Henn and sophomore Nadine Ciardulli played their third consecutive game together as doubles partners. The duo won all three of those matches for PSUC.
Henn was also able to win both of her singles matches, giving the Cards four points throughout the weekend.
The current record of 7-2 is the best record PSUC has had over the past 10 seasons.
The Cards will be heading to New Paltz (2-0, 2-0) Saturday to take on the Hawks in another SUNYAC matchup. Last season, New Paltz defeated PSUC 8-1.
PSUC will then travel to Newburgh to play Mount Saint Mary College (3-1) Sunday. Last season, the Cards defeated the Knights by a score of 9-0.
Email Alex Hoffman at cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
