The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Oneida still unbeaten as regular season ends
Three-time defending champ once again unbeaten at end of regular season
MARCY >> Last fall, it was no surprise when Oneida entered the Section III Class B girls tennis playoffs with an unblemished record. The senior-laden squad was coming off of consecutive sectional championships and rolled into and through the playoffs to capture a third straight crown.
This year, with a roster full of newcomers, coach Todd Hicks’ squad wasn’t expected to repeat that performance but it did just that.
Oneida wrapped up its regular season with a victory at Whitesboro on Wednesday afternoon, entering the postseason without a loss for the fourth time in the past five years.
“Most years when you lose seven girls, you’re going to have a down year,” said Hicks. “Our returners excelled and our new young players improved nicely throughout the year.
“Today was a great way to end the regular season, beating a very good Whitesboro team.”
Oneida improved to 16- 0 on the season with the victory and has won 44 straight matches dating back to 2014. The Tri-Valley League Division II champion has also won five straight league titles including the one it captured this year.
Over the past five years, Hicks’ squad has compiled a 101-2 record.
“It feels good to just come back from losing a bunch of seniors but
we still have the same record that we had last year,” said Lauren Skibitski. “Everybody’s here to play and win.”
Junior Brianna Laureti and Skibitski, a sophomore, were two of the top returners for the teamthis year and they have not disappointed. Laureti finished the regular season with a 7-3 records in first singles play while also going 6-0 in first doubles, including five matches in which she teamed up with Skibitski. The sophomore, meanwhile hasn’t dropped a set to anyone this fall, going 8-0 in second singles, 1-0 in first singles, 5-0 in first doubles and 1-0 in second doubles.
The other two returners, Kylie Chesebro and Anna Hood, have been equally as dominant. The duo has played every match together, going 16-0 this season without dropping a set.
“Just working together and talking and communication,” said Hood of the key to her and Chesebro’s success.
The other slots were filled throughout the season by Oneida’s seven newcomers. With the contributions of Kathryn Brown, Meghan Friske, Mattie Hicks, Sydney Lusher, Emily Marshall, Molly Moyer andMadeline Tallman, the team didn’t lose more than two points in any of their 16 matches and won nine times by a 7-0 score.
“Our team this year had good success because we had a core of young athletes who listened well and who bought into how to do things mechanically correct,” said Hicks. “All 11 players competed hard and winningmatches had a lot of meaning to them. This year I had only 11 players and not one player missed a practice nor a match all year.
“Good commitments typically result in improvements and measured progress.”
Now, Oneida will look to continue its win streak and capture a fourth straight Section III Class B title. The playoffs are scheduled to begin today.
“We keep practicing as hard as we can,” said Skibitski. “Try as hard as we can, I guess.”