Rams Selected Second in Skyline Conference Preseason Poll
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – Coming off a season
in which it went 12-3 overall and 6-0 in Skyline Conference play,
St. Joseph's College has been selected as the preseason favorite in
men's tennis in a vote of the conference's head coaches. The Golden
Eagles compiled six first-place votes and 48 points.
The St. Joseph's program has been building steadily over the past
few years, and the Golden Eagles expect another strong season in
2009. After losing just one senior in Greg Conta at No. 2, the team
returns six starters from last season. Junior Dan Celentano, one of
the top players in the conference, will anchor the lineup at first
singles. Much of the team's success can be attributed to the
strength at the back of the lineup. Justin Russo, Joe Piliero, Nick
Donadio and Steve Asti all compiled winning records at fourth
through sixth singles respectively.
Farmingdale State, picked second as it enters just its second
varsity season, is led by sophomore Joe Passarella, who earned
Skyline Conference Rookie of the Year honors while going 7-4 at
first singles as a freshman. Like the St. Joseph's, Farmingdale
State also returns five of last season's top six singles players.
Senior Matthew Kaczmarczyk went 4-3 in Skyline play at second
singles. Junior Joe Hotzak was 6-1 in Skyline matches at fourth
singles.
Both Purchase (picked third) and Mount Saint Mary (fourth) face
the difficult task of replacing their top three singles players.
Mount Saint Mary, which went 14-1 en route to the Skyline title,
must find a way to replace Anthony Golodner, who earned Skyline
Player of the Year honors at first singles.
SKYLINE CONFERENCE MEN’S TENNIS
2009 PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL
1. St. Joseph's-L.I. (6) 48
2. Farmingdale State 38
3. Purchase (1) 36
4. Mount Saint Mary (1) 34
5. Polytechnic 22
6. Yeshiva 20
7. Bard 19
8. Mount Saint Vincent 7
(first-place votes in parentheses)
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