BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – Having won three of its last five matches after starting the season 0-6, the Oswego State women's tennis team (3-8) will ride to this year's State University of New York Athletic Conference Championships full of confidence.

The Lakers have found their niche in doubles, especially in their wins against Wells and Alfred. In these matches, Oswego State took five of the six doubles matchups to hold a lead going into singles competition.

According to senior captain Kelly Corwin (Rochester, N.Y.) the difference in the team is easy to explain.

“We've worked on our consistency as a team and as individual players,” Corwin said. “Along with that, everyone has worked on their aggression at net and at the baseline.”

The Lakers will be matching up with perennial power New Paltz (6-1), which has not lost a conference match since Sept. 12, 2009, when they fell to Geneseo, 6-3. The Hawks have finished in the top two of the Championships for six straight years with three titles during that span.

Against New Paltz this season, the Lakers were beaten at every singles and doubles flight, but it was the team's first match and came on the first day of September. Eleven matches later, the Lakers have really come together as a team.

Corwin says it's going to take the best from every player to contend with the Hawks.

“To contend with New Paltz, we have to play consistent and stay on our toes, be ready for long points and be confident,” Corwin said.

Oswego State has never posted a victory over New Paltz, as the Hawks' depth has always posed a problem for the Lakers. Corwin says New Paltz doesn't really have a true weakness.

“New Paltz is really aggressive at the net,” she said. “They have really good ball placement and strategy.”

The Lakers best success in SUNYACs in recent memory came in 2009, when the team took fifth place out of eight teams. Oswego State's closest matches in conference play were against Brockport and Fredonia, each of which the Lakers could potentially see in the later rounds this weekend.

The Lakers have a common goal heading into postseason play.

“We would like to show progress in the league better than last year and to keep a team spirit of confidence throughout the tournament,” Corwin said.
 
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