May 28, 2009

Garden City, NY - For the second year in the row, Head Coach Ed Canner's Panthers earned a bid to the NCAA Division II Tennis Regional; a feat that has never been accomplished before in the program's near 70-year existence. The Panthers, drawing Merrimack College in the first round, were unable to advance, falling to the Warriors 5-4 and concluding their run in the post-season.

"It's disappointing, obviously, not moving on in the tournament, however, I'm happy in the direction the program is moving," Canner stated. " We are showing that we can be contenders each year, and with the move to the Northeast-10 (NE-10), our goals will remain the same."

The Cannermen ended their regular season ranked fourth in the East Region. In addition to being ranked as a team, the Brown and Gold also ranked in singles and doubles individually. Sebastian Nieves earned a 7th overall in the region in singles, while Tomasz Walczak was ranked 9th. In Doubles, the duo of Walczak and Alex Molotsky ranked third.

Sebastian Nieves has had a standout year for the Panthers, being named to the East Coast Conference (ECC) first-team, while handling the first-third singles role and partnering with Anton Voynov in second doubles. Overall the junior finished his season at 12-3 in singles and 11-5 in doubles. Nieves began the year with a five game winning streak, which was cut short by nationally ranked Niel Causen of Rollins College in a close, 6-4, 0-6, 2-10 outing. Nieves continued the season, commanding four out of six in mixed positions. In doubles, he helped to begin the season 5-0 before the first loss and continued winning the next five of six. The junior enjoyed two shut outs and 11 matches won by five or more games in each set.

The Panthers will graduate two seniors, Tomasz Walczak and Alex Molotsky, both four-year players for the Brown and Gold.

"The loss of both Tommy and Alex will leave big holes fill on the team. Each were strong leaders on and off the court, and their play will certainly be missed," Canner discussed. "We'll turn to our junior, now senior, class to carry on the leadership and tradition of Adelphi tennis."

Adelphi will make the jump to the NE-10 next season and will see a new line of competition on a regular basis.

"We're excited for the move, and all that comes with it...the new teams, level of play. It's going to take a new height of commitment, but I'm confident the team can meet and exceed it."