Seeking to build off of their momentous 2007 campaign in which the Panthers went 14-3 overall and 6-1 in the Skyline Conference, the 2008 edition went 6-6 overall and a 4-4 within the conference. Winning is hard to replicate match in and match out, but even with a young and inexperienced core, the Panthers made a return trip to the Skyline Conference Tournament. They succumbed to the Bard College Raptors, 5-0, in the quarterfinals. The contest ended before everyone had a chance to play due to darkness, sending the Raptors onward to face the No.1 seeded St. Joseph’s College- L.I.

 

Bard won all three double matches as well as No. 1 and No. 6 singles. The Raptors later went on to win the entire tournament.

 

Highlights of the season included two 9-0 thrashings at home against the College of Staten Island and league rival Mount Saint Vincent. The Panthers also partook in an impressive 5-4 road victory over Farmingdale State.

 

The Panthers, who were paced by No. 1 Melanie Lopez, co-captain Tatyana de Muns and freshman Colline Laninga, said goodbye to graduating seniors Sara Loe and Marita Sloan. The senior duo won a doubles match, 8-2, over CMSV on Senior Day in yet another highlight of the season. Lopez was later named to the All-Skyline First Team.

 

-Oren Vourman