Hartwick Women’s Tennis Shines in Empire 8 All-Conference Honors

The Hartwick Women’s Tennis team really turned heads this season, racking up a bunch of Empire 8 All-Conference honors. Six standout athletes from Hartwick College got recognized for their performances, and honestly, it says a lot about the team’s drive and talent.

This blog post takes a closer look at what these players pulled off and how they helped the team shine.

Outstanding Singles Performances

Several Hartwick players put on a show in their singles matches, grabbing top spots in the Empire 8 All-Conference selections. Phoebe Olson and Samantha Lantzy both landed on the Empire 8 First Team Singles.

Olson, from Jamestown, N.D., has been a steady force, earning her fourth straight All-Conference pick and a third First Team honor. As the current Empire 8 Tournament MVP, Olson keeps setting the bar high.

Phoebe Olson’s Achievements

Olson’s tennis journey at Hartwick is honestly impressive. This season, she kept up her winning ways and showed why she’s such a big deal for the team.

She leads by example and never seems to crack under pressure. That’s rare, isn’t it?

Samantha Lantzy’s Impact

In her first season, Samantha Lantzy from Valatie, N.Y., made a splash, earning her second First Team nod. She put up a 6-1 conference record and went 8-3 overall, showing off her skill and grit.

Her play at the top spot really made a difference for Hartwick.

Second Team Singles Recognition

Three more Hartwick players grabbed Second Team Singles honors, which just goes to show how deep this team is. Lily Vanuga, Maggie Van Valkenburgh, and Gianna Leggieri all stepped up this season.

Lily Vanuga’s Dominance

Vanuga, from Springville, N.Y., owned the No. 3 spot with a 6-1 record in conference play and a 7-4 overall mark. She was steady all year and really helped keep the team on track.

Maggie Van Valkenburgh’s Consistency

Maggie Van Valkenburgh, out of Highland, N.Y., just keeps getting it done. She finished another perfect conference run—her fourth in a row, actually.

Her 11-2 overall record is pretty solid, with her only losses coming against tough teams like Ithaca and RIT.

Gianna Leggieri’s Breakout Season

Gianna Leggieri from Ballston Lake, N.Y., had a breakout year, going 10-2 overall and staying unbeaten in conference play. She earned her first All-Conference singles honor—well deserved, if you ask me.

Third Team Singles Recognition

Maddi Morrison from Burnt Hills, N.Y., rounded things out for Hartwick with a Third Team Singles selection. It’s her first All-Conference pick, and she really earned it at the No. 6 spot.

Maddi Morrison’s Steady Presence

Morrison went undefeated in conference matches and finished 11-1 overall. She brought a lot of stability to the lineup this season.

Dominance in Doubles

All six Hartwick players who got singles honors also snagged All-Conference Doubles recognition. That says a lot about the team’s overall strength.

Head Coach Samantha Butcher deserves a nod for guiding the Hawks to such strong doubles play.

First Team Doubles Honors

Olson and Leggieri made the First Team Doubles, putting up a 9-3 overall record and going 7-1 in Empire 8 play. Their chemistry on the court really stood out.

Lantzy and Vanuga’s Unbeatable Partnership

Lantzy and Vanuga joined them on the First Team, and they were nearly unstoppable at No. 2 doubles. They finished 11-2 overall and went undefeated, 8-0, in conference matches.