Hartwick College Student-Athletes Earn Empire 8 Women's Tennis All-Conference Honors

The Hartwick Women's Tennis team was well represented on the Empire 8 All-Conference honors list, as six Hawks earned recognition for their outstanding performances this season, the conference announced Oct. 28.

Leading the way for Hartwick on the Empire 8 First Team Singles were Phoebe Olson of Jamestown, N.D. and Samantha Lantzy of Valatie, N.Y. Olson, the reigning Empire 8 Tournament MVP, secured her fourth consecutive All-Conference selection and third First Team honor in her decorated career. Lantzy made an immediate impact in her debut season at the top-flight position, earning her second First Team nod after posting a 6-1 conference record and finishing 8-3 overall.

Lily Vanuga of Springville, N.Y., Maggie Van Valkenburgh of Highland, N.Y., and Gianna Leggieri of Ballston Lake, N.Y., all earned Second Team Singles recognition. Vanuga was dominant at the No. 3 position, going 6-1 in conference play and 7-4 overall. Van Valkenburgh continued her remarkable consistency, completing a perfect conference slate for the fourth straight year while compiling an 11-2 overall mark, with her only setbacks coming against regional powers Ithaca and RIT. Leggieri enjoyed a breakout season, going 10-2 overall and undefeated in conference play en route to her first career All-Conference singles honor.

Maddi Morrison of Burnt Hills, N.Y., rounded out Hartwick's impressive lineup, earning Third Team Singles recognition - her first career All-Conference selection. Morrison was a steady presence at the No. 6 spot, finishing the season unbeaten in conference and 11-1 overall.

All six Hawks also received All-Conference Doubles honors, further highlighting the team's dominance under Head Coach Samantha Butcher. Olson and Leggieri earned First Team Doubles honors after posting a 9-3 overall record and a 7-1 mark in Empire 8 play. Lantzy and Vanuga joined them on the First Team, proving nearly unbeatable at No. 2 doubles with an 11-2 overall record and a perfect 8-0 conference slate. Van Valkenburgh and Morrison completed the sweep with Second Team Doubles recognition, also going 11-1 overall and 8-0 in Empire 8 competition.

The Empire 8 also honored Van Valkenburgh as Hartwick's representative on the Tomorrow's Leaders Team, recognizing her commitment to leadership, sportsmanship, and integrity on and off the court.

Lantzy, a junior Biology major, received the Empire 8 Torchbearer Award, presented to the championship team member with the highest GPA. Lantzy earned the distinction with an impressive 3.8 GPA.

Additionally, Butcher was named 205 Empire 8 Coach of the Year after leading Hartwick to its second straight Empire 8 Championship and third in the last four seasons. It is Butcher's third E8 Women's Tennis Coach of the Year award.

To view these students click here: https://hartwick.meritpages.com/achievements/Hartwick-College-Student-Athletes-Earn-Empire-8-Women-s-Tennis-All-Conference-Honors/195266