Back-to-Back STAC! Spartans Repeat as ECC Women's Tennis Champs in 4-1 Victory over Queens

Posted: Oct 28, 2023

Flushing, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Women's Tennis team earned its second consecutive East Coast Conference Tournament Championship with a thrilling 4-1 victory over top seeded Queens College on Saturday afternoon at the QC Tennis Center.

STAC improves to 9-1 on the season and secures an automatic bid in the NCAA Division II Women's Tennis Tournament, which takes place in the spring. Meanwhile, Queens loses a match for the first time this fall and moves to 8-1.

The Spartans opened Championship Saturday in a precarious position, as Queens quickly clinched the doubles point by taking two of three matches. The duo of Caroline Hany-Fawzy and Ana Tarbujaru got things started for the Knights by defeating Amanda Kadiri and Kateryna Kryuchkova, 6-2. Queens then closed doubles play, when Maja Makal and Saga Berggren defeated the top pair of Ebba Rosberg and Samanta Villegas Robles, 6-4.

St. Thomas Aquinas dusted themselves off after a tough doubles defeat and took the fight right to the Knights in singles action, as the maroon and gold won four straight matches to seal their championship repeat. Viktoriia Pavlovets dispatched Maja Makal 6-0, 6-1 at the No. 2 position. Teammate Kateryna Kryuchkova was next to register a victory, with a 6-4, 6-3 triumph over Ana Tarbujaru in the No. 6 slot. A three-set victory by No. 4 Samanta Villegas Robles over Apolline Lamy (3-6, 6-4, 6-1) then put the hosts on the ropes. The final knockout punch came via Elita Silins at the No. 5 spot when she took down Saga Berggren 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to send the entire STAC squad to a joyous celebration.

STAC 4/ QUEENS 1 - OFFICIAL RESULTS

DOUBLES

1. Maja Makal & Saga Berggren (QC) def. Ebba Rosberg & Samanta Villegas Robles (STAC), 6-4

2. Apolline Lamy & Eva Rivoal (QC) vs. Jemima Parkinson & Elita Silins (STAC), 5-4 (Unfinished)

3. Caroline Hany-Fawzy & Ana Tarbujaru (QC) def. Amanda Kadiri & Kateryna Kryuchkova (STAC), 6-2

Order of Finish: 3, 1*

SINGLES

1. Eva Rivoal (QC) vs. Ebba Rosberg (STAC) 7-6 (7-3), 1-6, 1-0 (Unfinished)

2. Viktoriia Pavlovets (STAC) def. Maja Makal (QC) 6-0, 6-1

3. Elise Semmartin (STAC) vs. Caroline Hany-Fawzy (QC) 6-3, 0-6, 5-2 (Unfinished)

4. Samanta Villegas Robles (STAC) def. Apolline Lamy (QC) 3-6, 6-4, 6-1

5. Elita Silins (STAC) def. Saga Berggren (QC) 6-4, 2-6, 6-4

6. Kateryna Kryuchkova (STAC) def. Ana Tarbujaru (QC) 6-4, 6-3

Order of Finish: 2, 6, 4, 5*

QC Record: 8-1, 5-0 ECC

STAC Record: 9-1, 4-1 ECC

THE ROCKHILL REPORT

"Today's win is very special and likely the biggest in STAC Women's Tennis history", commented Head Coach Dan Rockhill. "Queens is so good at every position and I have so much respect for their players. It is truly a huge accomplishment to go into their bubble and win. It just doesn't happen very often."

"We essentially got punched in the mouth in the doubles", remarked Rockhill. "Queens was very aggressive and bullied us with their power. They never really let us get comfortable."

"I am especially happy for Vika", said Rockhill. "She has been through some ups and downs this season but came up huge for us today. She gave us the lift we needed. I am also so pleased with Elise. She is a great fighter who can take really good players out of their game and frustrate them. Kat also turned around her match from earlier in the season. She is going to be a great player for years to come at STAC. Samy and Elita are very special. They just do whatever it takes to help the team win. They fight all day and make themselves difficult to beat."

A few weeks ago our team discussed "what is STAC tennis?" I think this match well-portrayed what we decided. I am thankful for this special moment. This team plays for each other, supports each other and has trusted the process.