Senior Lauren Stellato (Old Westbury, NY/Friends Academy), successfully defended the New York State Women's Collegiate Athletic Association No. 1 singles title last weekend at Cornell by defeating top-ranked Joanna Toke, a senior at the University of Rochester.
“I am sooooooooo excited that I beat her,” said a very excited Stellato, who lost to Toke two weeks ago in the championship round of the ITA tournament at William Smith College (6-4, 6-3). “I was the underdog and I don't think that anyone thought that I would really win. I have played her four times before this match and lost every time.”
Stellato is the first Union tennis player in history (men or women) to win back-to-back state titles. Her 4-0 record at states gives her a record of 18-2 for this year and a career record of 75-14 (all out of the No. 1 position).
Stellato, who defeated Vassar's Becky Weldon (7-5, 3-6, 6-2) to become the first Dutchwoman since 1983 to win the state title out of the No. 1 position, defeated Rochester's Toke, 6-4 and 6-3.
Stellato's championship enabled the Dutchwomen to finish sixth among the 15 participating teams, equaling the team's best finish, first set last year. Vassar, Skidmore, NYU, Rochester, and William Smith were the five teams that finished in front of the Dutchwomen.
“Lauren's success this weekend comes from her many years of hard work and her renewed focus after the loss to Joanna Toke at the ITA's in Geneva,” said head coach Wayne Emerick. “Lauren went to the weight room on a regular basis and did some increased running on her own to improve her overall physical strength against Toke. “The fact that Lauren was able to come from behind in both sets and win speaks to her mental fortitude and desire. Lauren knew to have any hope to get to the NCAA's in the Spring “the time was now.
“There was a lot of support for Lauren at this weekend's matches,” continued Emerick. “Players and coaches from schools across New York State knew this could be one of the last times that she might play for Union. I am very proud of the team and their individual and collective attitude towards improving this season. Lauren's win reflects an improved overall effort by her and her teammates in practice. If you are prepared to play, the winning and losing takes care of itself. Lauren did extra work and gave herself the opportunity for a great performance. Hats off to Lauren, her teammates and (assistant) Coach (Erico) Lemos for a great team effort!”
Beating Toke was not an easy task for Stellato as the University of Rochester senior was ranked second in the country at the Division III level three years ago and two years ago climbed to the No. 2 ranking. Toke has been ranked No. 1 in the region much of her career.
“I'm not sure that she has ever lost a match when I've been at a tournament with her,” Stellato explained.
Lauren defeated RIT's Carlie Schubert, 6-2, 61, in the first round before picking up victories over Rensselaer's Andrea Erdekian, 6-2, 6-0, and Vassar's Diya Uberoi, 6-4, 6-3, to set up the showdown with Toke.
“I didn't really feel any pressure, because I wasn't expecting to win the championship,” Stellato explained. “I really didn't think I would. It's exciting to be Union's all-time leader of matches won… it's a great feeling that I've done so well.”
Julie Miller (Class of 1984) was the first Dutchwoman ever to win a New York State singles title, and she did it out of the No. 1 position in 1983. Miller's state crown was followed by Amy Kessinger, out of the No. 4 position in 1994, and by Susan Yoo, who captured the third singles title in 1999.
Stellato will have the opportunity to add to her 75 college wins this spring when the Dutchwomen play a limited schedule.
“I'm sooooo happy that I won! …WOW!!…it defintely was the match of my life,” she said. “I am definitely going to play in the spring. I hope we can get some good matches or tournaments in so that I can qualify for NCAA's.”
Stellato and freshman teammate Jen Werts advanced to the championship match of the doubles competition before losing the title to Toke and Pajoohi, 8-6.
Here are the rest of Union's state tournament scores:
Second Singles: Jennie Werts played Ann Moulin from St. Lawrence and won 6-3, 6-2;
Second round Jennie played Jen Sussman from NYU and lost 2-6, 0-6.
Third Singles: Meg Vercillo lost to Florine Cannelle from RPI 4-6, 1-6
Fourth Singles: Amanda Brody lost to Melissa Walsh from Ithaca 3-6, 3-6
Fifth Singles: Jen Lauroesch won, playing Betsy O'Brian from Nazareth 6-1, 3-6, 6-0;
Second
Round she played Sarah Coffin from Cortland and lost 4-6, 4-6
Sixth Singles: Alexandra Valenti played Tessa Baker from Rochester and lost 4-6, 1-6
Doubles
First: Jennie and Lauren played Andrea Erdekian and Raimi Ishikawa from RPI and won 8-2;
Second Round defeated Johnna Nigh and Ann Moulin from St. Lawrence and won 8-5;
Third
Round played Joanna Toke and Pajoohi and lost 8-6 in the semi finals.
Second Doubles: Meg and Amanda lost 8-3 to Jill Damon and Maddie Pauli 8-3
Third Doubles: Alex and Jenny won 8-2 they played Meghan Rose and Linsay Walsh from
Hamilton
Second Round: They lost to Kelly Graham and Anna Will from Vassar 8-1.