Defending NYS Champion
This is a BIG weekend for senior tennis star Lauren Stellato and the women's tennis team. The Dutchwomen will travel to Cornell to compete in the annual New York State Women's Tennis Championship. Last year Stellato became the first Dutchwoman since Julie Miller (Class of '84) to capture a state singles championship out of the No. 1 position.
Stellato, who has more wins than any other tennis player in Union's history (man or woman), goes into the event with a career standard of 71-14 (ALL out of the No. 1 position) and takes a sparkling 14-2 record into the weekend.
“I'm not nervous about going into the tournament,” she explained. “I'm a bit anxious because I lost in the finals of ITA's. But I'll do my best, play my hardest, and we'll see what happens.”
She finished second in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's championship tournament at William Smith a couple of weeks ago. Stellato, who placed third last year, lost to Joanna Toke of Rochester, 6-1, 6-3 in the finals. Toke, the defending ITA champion, went into the event as the No. 1 seed while Stellato was seeded second.
A graduate of Friends Academy and a native of Old Westbury, New York, Stellato has had a brilliant career despite the fact that she has played for three coaches during her four seasons at Union.
“Lauren's leadership comes in the role of her example and emotional strength in match play,” said head coach Wayne Emerick. “Lauren is the type of athlete that finds a way to win with a consistent emotional focus. She appears outwardly calm in tight match situations and has the ability to raise her game level in key situations when competing.”
Last fall Stellato defeated Vassar's Becky Weldon, 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 in the championship match. Her success enabled the Dutchwomen end their season with a third-place finish out of the 16 participating teams. Her state title made her just the fourth Dutchwoman to win a New York State singles championship, and just the second to win the crown out of the No. 1 position. Besides Miller's title out of the No. 1 singles position, Amy Kessinger captured a title out of the No. 4 position in 1994, and Susan Yoo who captured the No. 3 singles championship in 1999.
“I have always played tennis,” explains the history major. “In high school, I played a number of USTA tournament and was consistently ranked in my division. My highest ranking was 28 in the Eastern Section and that was in Girl's 18s.”
Stellato, who set a College record for wins in a season last year with her overall record of 20-3, is very
happy with the experiences that Union has provided for her the last four years.
“I have had a good experience at Union,” she began. “Academically I have been very pleased with Union. I am a history major and a German minor, which coming into Union I would never have imagined. The liberal arts education allowed me to study in areas that I would never have tried. My professors have all been great and very willing to help me with papers or extra help whenever I needed it.
“Socially I have been very happy as well,” she continued. “I have met great people here at Union and I have seen the true sense of community here. When you need help someone is always there to lend you a hand.
“Athletically, times were difficult at Union. I have had three coachs in four years and I don't feel that I got enough exposure competing against more competitive schools which would have gave me greater opportunities to compete at a national level. It is tough when you have so many coaches in a short period of time because its a new beginning each time. However, things are going well now.. we have a great coach and the program will definitely improve in the next few years.”
Stellato is planning to work in New York City in the area of corporate sales following her graduation in June. She also plans on continuing her tennis career.
I plan on continuing to play tennis my entire life,” she explained. I'm not sure if I will continue to compete, that depends on how busy I am in the next few years. Right now, I am focused on getting a good job and succeeding in my career. I'm sure I will always play on the side.”
Emerick, who is completing his first season as head coach at Union, recognizes the contributions that Stellato has brought to Union College
“Lauren will graduate from Union with a legacy of excellence as a member of the women's tennis team,” he said. “She has set the standard for all current and future members of Union's tennis programs.”