- Massapequa Park Duo, Sickles and Bentz, to Highlight Rams 2012 Squad -
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Three-time defending champion Mount Saint Mary has been tabbed to seize the 2012 Skyline women's tennis crown in voting conducted by the league's seven head coaches. The Knights received six first-place votes and 36 points overall, while Farmingdale State finished second in the voting with 27 points.
The Rams return their entire squad from last season, highlighted by the Skyline's 2011 Player of the Year, sophomore Jessica Sickles (Massapequa Park, N.Y.), as well as the 2011 Rookie of the Year, sophomore Alex Bentz (Massapequa Park, N.Y.). Sickles went 10-3 at #1 singles, while Bentz was a perfect 13-0 at #2 singles. Farmingdale State also returns seniors Laura Earlie (Moriches, N.Y.), Kristina Rossano (Franklin Square, N.Y.) and Rachel Tomasulo (Valley Stream, N.Y.), whose experience will contribute towards another successful playoff run and a chance at the programs first-ever Skyline Championship.
2011 Skyline runner-up St. Joseph's-L..I. (25 points) earned one first-place vote and shared the third spot in the rankings with Purchase. The Sage Colleges finished fifth with 14 points, followed by Yeshiva (13) and NYU-Poly (7).
MSMC returns senior Gabriela Murphy-Goldberg, a three-time first-team All-Conference selection.
Murphy-Goldberg posted an overall record of 13-2 last season in singles action, including an 11-1 mark at the No. 1 flight.
The semifinals of the four-team Skyline Women's Tennis Championship will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 24 with the title match slated for Saturday, Oct. 27.
2012 Skyline Preseason Coaches Poll - Points
1. Mount Saint Mary - 36 [6]
2. Farmingdale State - 27
3. St. Joseph's-L.I. - 25 [1]
(tie) Purchase - 25
5. The Sage Colleges - 14
6. Yeshiva - 13
7. NYU-Poly - 7
[First-place votes in parentheses]
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