LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East has rolled out its mid-season Skye Division preview for the 2024 season. The Skye Division consists of five teams, with each program squaring off against one another in a 4-match conference season.
The top four teams will earn a bid to the postseason which begins on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The 1-seed will host the 4-seed while the 2-seed hosts the 3-seed with all matches being hosted on campus. Winners of those semifinal matches will advance to the Skye Division Final to be hosted at the highest remaining seed on Saturday, April 27.
The Skye Division Champion will then advance to a championship match against the Volt Division champion on Saturday, May 4, 2024, to be hosted at Hershey Racquet Club. The winner of that match will be crowned United East Champion and earn the conference’s automatic qualifier into the NCAA Division III Women’s Tennis Championship.
Bryn Athyn College
Hannah Hausen and Vincent White begin their second season as co-Head Coaches of Bryn Athyn women’s tennis with an experienced squad coming off of a semifinal appearance in 2023. Junior Annae Connelly returns after picking up a Second Team All-Conference honor in singles and doubles partnering with Thea Keal. Keal picked up All-Conference honors in doubles and an Honorable Mention nod for singles as well. The Lions open up the 2024 season with a matchup against Penn State Abington on Thursday, March 21st and have non-conference matchups with Rutgers-Camden, Neumann, and Kean throughout the spring. United East play begins on Wednesday, April 17th with a matchup against Cedar Crest College.
Coach’s Outlook:
Cairn University
Gregg Fanus begins his first season as Head Coach after spending the previous few seasons as the assistant coach. During that time frame, Cairn won four consecutive CSAC Championships and made four appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament. An experienced squad is highlighted by three First Team performers, led by seniors Rachel Campbell-Robertson and Abby Horning. Junior Rebekah Hepp picked up First Team honors in both singles and doubles as well as Rookie of the Year while classmate Ersy Neal picked up a First Team nod in doubles and a Second Team nod in singles. The Highlanders open up United East play with Notre Dame of Maryland University on March 26th.
Coach’s Outlook:
Cedar Crest College
Aidan Evans-Gartley begins his first season as Interim Head Tennis Coach for Cedar Crest College in 2024. The Falcons will be led by senior Katherine Franzone, who was a First Team All-Conference honoree in 2023 after playing No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles all year. Junior Corinne O’Connor was named All-Sportsmanship after playing No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles. Senior Lily Spagnola returns after playing No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles; going 5-0 in conference matches partnering with Franzone. The Falcons open the 2024 season with a matchup at Muhlenberg on March 15th and have non-conference matches against Kean, East Stroudsburg, Penn State Brandywine and Lycoming. United East play begins on Tuesday, April 9 against Clarks Summit.
Coach’s Outlook:
Clarks Summit University
Kelly Arp begins her 16th season at the helm of Clarks Summit women’s tennis with a rebuilding squad looking to make another postseason appearance in 2024. Naomi Sadowitz returns after a First Team All-Conference doubles honor with partner Malanie Stabler. Sadowitz was also a Second Team singles player in 2023 and Stabler picked up an Honorable Mention nod as well. The Defenders open up the 2024 season with a matchup against Marywood on March 19th and have non-conference matchups with King’s College and Misericordia throughout the spring. United East play begins on Friday, March 29th with a matchup against Notre Dame of Maryland University.
Coach’s Outlook: “Rebuilding year”
Notre Dame of Maryland University
Head Coach Andre Ervin has an experienced squad in 2024 looking to take a step forward and qualify for the postseason after missing out in 2023. The Gators are led by junior Tam Truong who was a Second Team Singles All-Conference honoree in 2023 playing out of the No. 3 spot and is just the third player in program history to earn an All-Confernece nod. Classmate Mackenzie Lookingland was named All-Sportsmanship after playing No. 1 singles and doubles across the season. Junior Renee Rosales played singles at No. 4 and No. 2 doubles. The Gators open the 2024 season with a matchup against Neumann University on March 20th and open United East play with a trip to Cedar Crest College on Saturday, March 23rd.
Coach’s Outlook: "I think we have a great group of returning players that should help take our team to the next level. I think we can take some great strides as team and reach new heights! I am very excited for this season!"
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The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Clarks Summit University, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.