Amherst, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Women's Tennis team opened its 2025-2026 campaign, posting a 5-2 decision over Daemen University on Friday afternoon at Royal Park in Western New York.
STAC moves to 1-0 overall and 1-0 in ECC action, while Daemen slips to 1-1 and 0-1.
The Spartans got off to a great start during doubles, taking two-of-three matchups. Kateryna Kryuchkova & Sun Zhuoxuan won on court one by a score of 6-0 over Marley Conover & Stephanie Baier, while Shreethika Vangala and Mar Caneves Bufi posted another strong score in the second slot, also blanking their opponents Bella Bjerkan & Carly Armitage, 6-0.
STAC battled during singles play, winning four-of-six matchups. Kateryna Kryuchkova led off for STAC in No. 1 singles, clinching her matchup against Marley Conover 6-0, 6-1. No. 2 Mar Caneves Bufi had a great performance in singles, defeating her opponent Stephanie Baier; 6-2, 6-3. Sun Zhuoxuan clinched the team victory for the Spartans, winning the No. 3 slot over Bella Bjerkan by a score of 6-3, 6-3. No. 4 Shreethika Vangala (5-7, 6-4, 1-9 (9)) vs. Carly Armitage also posted a win in her singles match.
Kryuchkova, Zhuoxuan, Vangala & Caneves Bufi all went 2-0 on the afternoon with both doubles and singles victories over the host Wildcats.
STAC 5/DAEMEN 2 - OFFICIAL RESULTS
DOUBLES
3. Ashley Bonilla & Nadja Emmendorfer (DAE) def. No Player & No Player (STAC), Default
Order of Finish: 3, 1, 2*
SINGLES
5. Ashley Bonilla (DAE) def. No Player (STAC) Default
6. Nadja Emmendorfer (DAE) def. No Player (STAC) Default
Order of finish: 5, 6, 1, 2, 3*, 4
Daemen Record: 1-1, 0-1 ECC
STAC Record: 1-0, 1-0 ECC
THE ROCKHILL REPORT
"This was a great start to the season", said Head Coach Dan Rockhill. "I consistently ask the team to take on difficult tasks so we can become our collective best version and this was a prime example of that. I am proud of the way the team competed after an early rise and a seven-hour ride. Our doubles is a work in progress but I thought we were the more aggressive team at the net and that was what was required to win both pairs."
"I think all four eligible players had some opening day jitters but worked through it", commented Rockhill. "Kat played very well and is showing that she is ready to lead the team."
"Daemen is an extremely well coached team and fought until the last point was played", remarked Rockhill. "Coach Greco runs a great program and does things the right way. They also have a beautiful new facility and it was a pleasure to play there."
STAC faces off with D'Youville University on Saturday, September 20 (10:00 a.m.) at Nichols High School in Buffalo, New York.
