Oneida falls short to CBA in sectional final

Despite their efforts and an undefeated season, Oneida girls tennis could not secure the win against Christian Brothers Academy in the Section III final.

UTICA, N.Y. » TheOneida girls tennis teamsuffered its first defeat of the season on Friday.

Unfortunately for Todd Hicks’ squad, the loss came during the Class B Section III Championship against Christian BrothersAcademy.

After finishing the season undefeated in league play, winning a sixth consecutive league title, and appearing in their sixth consecutive sectional final, Oneida faced its fiercest competition of the season in the No. 2 seeded CBA, losing 6-1.

“It’s unfortunate,” Hicks said following the conclusion of the championship. “CBA is a great team. We knew coming into this to beat CBA, everybody had to play well. They are fantastic from top to bottom.”

Buoyed by strong singles play throughout the season, Oneida’s highly successful three-headed attack in Briana Laureti, Emily Marshall, and Sydney Lusher all dropped straight sets to their CBA counterparts.

Oneida struggled to find momentum on the doubles side of things on Friday as well, dropping three of four. Kathryn Brown and Juliana Cavanagh were the only pairing to find success on Friday.

Friday marked only the fourth loss the Oneida girls tennis side has lost in the past six years, but Hicks and company are not done quite yet. There is still the state individual sectionals in which Emily Marshall, Cathryn Brown and Sydney Lusherwill representOneida in singles action, and Briana Laureti and Lauren Skibitski will team up in doubles, as will AnnaHood and Juliana Cavanagh.

“I’mnot sure there is a ton that differentiates the two teams, but they played well today,” Hicks said. “We’re going to pick right up, and we’re going to come back strong.”

As for what kind of message Hicks had for his departing senior class of Briana Laureti, EmilyMarshall, AnnaHood, and Juliana Cavanagh, the Oneida coach said, “I’m extremely proud. It’s going to be hard losing the seniors, not because they are great players, but I think they are better kids. Hopefully, tennis is going to help develop them as an individual as they go to college. Hopefully, they always remember as a great experience. It’s been my pleasure to have them.”

CBA 6, ONEIDA 1

JOHN BREWER - ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH After suffering a defeat at the hands of CBA in the team tennis sectionals, Oneida will look to bounce back in the individual playoffs that begin on Monday, Oct. 9.