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2008 Season in Review
Panthers Reach Semifinals of Skyline Tourney
Kucker, Plen Named to All-Skyline Team
Purchase, NY -- Some nagging injuries likely cost the Purchase College men's tennis team their semifinal match with St. Joseph's College-LI, but the Panthers remain optimistic about next season, especially since they will return most of their lineup and roster.
Purchase finished the season at 9–8, with a conference record of 4–3, good enough for the No. 3 seed in the Skyline Tournament. The Panthers, dealing with both key injuries as well as the exhaustion from having to take the strenuous trip out to Patchogue on consecutive days, fell to top ranked St. Josephs by a score of 5-3. Despite the disappointing end to the season, the Panthers can look back on the spring as a successful one, and a number of the Panthers were honored this season for their efforts.
Rookie Matthew Plen (FR/Manchester, CT) started his career off on the right foot. Plen found himself recognized by the Skyline Conference multiple times, as he won Rookie of the Week and was named to the conference Honor Roll consecutive weeks. He was later named to the All-Skyline Second Team.
Another highlight this season came off the racket of co-captain Matthew Kucker (SR/Brooklyn, NY). Kucker had a strong season for the Panthers, culminated by both his win in singles and in doubles with Anthony Morano (JR/Yonkers, NY) during the conference semifinals. Earlier in the season, Kucker was also named Skyline Conference Men's Tennis Player of the Week and later joined Plen on the All-Skyline Second Team.
The Panthers found themselves in a hole in the last two matches of the season, as No. 1 David Reisner (SO/South Salem, NY) was injured and far from 100 percent. As he did all season, Reisner continued to compete, and one can’t help but wonder what would have happened had he been healthy. The Panthers also got nice efforts out of co-captain Christopher Arnet (JR/North Tonawanda, NY) and Nico Marceca (FR/North Salem, NY). The combination earned a win at No. 3 doubles in the playoff.
With a large part of their core returning, the team can look to continue to grow under coach Nestel’s guidance as they look to break into the conference championship next spring.
-Michael Wimmer
