Kevin Snyder Featured on NCAC Website

Name: Kevin Snyder

Hometown/High School: Medina, NY/Medina

Institution: Allegheny College

Majors: Political Science and Communication Arts

Sport: Tennis

• I am originally from ... Medina, NY. It’s a really small town on the Erie Canal in between Buffalo and Rochester.

• Why did you choose to attend a NCAA Division III institution? The chance to play tennis while getting a great education was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. I really valued the small campus at Allegheny as well.

• How would you describe the philosophy of NCAA Div. III? Division III is all about playing for the name on the front of our jerseys. We play our sports because we love practicing and competing, and we also do it because our school, teammates, and friends are important to us. We also realize that academics are our top priority while at college and we treat it as such.

• How has your experience been in balancing athletics and academics Allegheny? It’s not easy, but it is doable. Allegheny is a tough school and in order to do well in the classroom and on the field I’ve had to really maximize my time when I am free, even if that means taking less naps! The professors at Allegheny are supportive of the student-athletes and when I do have to miss class for matches, they understand, but I still have to get the work done.

• How would you best describe your normal day as a student-athlete at the NCAA Div. III level? I.e. What do you do all day? I usually wake up, get some breakfast, and then head to class. After class I work at my work study job in our Office of Student Involvement. After that I either get some homework done or get some extra practice in with my coaches before our team practice. After practice, we usually get dinner as a team and then I head to the library to finish up my homework. Then I repeat.

• Favorite thing about Allegheny? The greatest thing about Allegheny by far is our community. That is something that set it apart from other schools for me. It’s special and when we say “We Are Allegheny,” we mean it. We are one big community and we support each other in the things that we do.

• Favorite thing about the NCAC? The competition of the conference is awesome. Being able to go up against some of the top tennis teams in the country is challenging but great at the same time. We are definitely one of the best tennis conferences in the nation.

• What do you want to be when you grow up? I’d love to work in Marketing and Public Relations. But I wouldn’t pass up a job in college sports.

• If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would it be and why? Jay Carney, he is the White House Press Secretary. I’ve always loved that job and if I was to go into politics, it would be my dream to do that.

• People may be surprised to know that ……All the names in my family start with the letter K. Even our pets.

• What’s currently playing on your I-Pod? “Mind Your Manners” by Chiddy Bang

• Do you have one coach and/or professor that has impacted your career the most at Allegheny? Jared Luteran, my Head Coach has definitely impacted me. He has taught me a lot about not just tennis but attention to details in life, which is something that I will use forever. He’s also helped me establish a good work ethic on the court and in the classroom. As far as Professors, Jim Bulman in our English department was my first experience with a college professor, and he was fantastic. He taught me what Allegheny was really about and how to make the most out of my time here. He was my advisor for my first year and a half, and the advice he gave me was gold.

• What would be your advice for someone that is considering enrolling as a student-athlete at a NCAA Div. III institution? Do it. It’s the best possible decision you could make. I’ve made lifelong friends on my team, developed great habits, and am doing something that I love to do. There isn’t much that beats competing for your school. I could not see myself not being a student-athlete.

• Who do you look up to? My Dad. He is one of the wisest people that I know.

• if you could excel at any competitive sport (other than your own) which would you choose? I’ve always wanted to play volleyball. I’ve always had fun playing it.

• Which historical sporting event would you have liked to witness? The 1993 Wild Card Playoff game between the Bills and the Oilers. You can’t beat great comebacks.

• What’s your favorite sports team/Who’s your favorite athlete? The Buffalo Bills are my favorite team, and my favorite athlete is Sam Querrey.

• My favorite sports memory is…? Playing at the National Tennis Center in New York City.

• Favorite ice cream? Chocolate Panda Paws.

Allegheny's Pat Cole Named NCAC Men's Tennis Player of the Week

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Allegheny sophomore Patrick Cole was named the North Coast Athletic Conference men's tennis Player of the Week Monday afternoon, following a magnificent week in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

The Gators played a grueling schedule over spring break, competing in four matches in five days. Cole stood up to the challenge in a huge way, going 4-0 in No. 1 singles play, defeating two top-25 regionally ranked opponents.

Pat made a statement during his first match of the week, dominating No. 22 Chris Kuna of Wisconsin-Eau Claire from start to finish. He easily defeated Kuna 6-1, 6-0 and set his sights on two more top-25 opponents.

Cole was scheduled to take on No. 24 Andrew Hwang of Carleton the next day; however, the Knights decided to give Hwang the day off. Patrick would defeat Paul Cooper 6-3, 6-0 in place of Hwang; however Hwang would not get away scot free. Cole and his number one doubles partner Kevin Kacer did get a shot to face the No. 15 doubles pairing of Hwang and Dan Vollman. While it was be the only win the pair earned all week, it was a big one, defeating the Carleton pair 8-6.

With his third match in three days approaching, Cole would focus his attention on his toughest opponent of the week, No. 10 Brian McCarthy of St. Thomas. McCarthy gave Cole his toughest singles match all week, but was no match as Patrick cruised to yet another victory 6-4, 6-1.

Patrick's 4-0 week improved him to 13-2 this season, with his only two losses coming to No. 5 Will Drougas. Cole and the rest of the Gators will be off until Tuesday, April 3 when they will travel to Westminster College for a showdown with the Titans.

Allegheny Completes Spring Trip with Strong Win Over Smith College

3/22/2012 10:18:00 PM
HILTON HEAD, S.C. – The Allegheny women's tennis team finished their 2012 spring trip on a high note Thursday morning, as they dominated the Pioneers of Smith College 8-1.

The Gators swept the doubles competition, with both number one doubles and number two doubles cruising to victories. The number three doubles team of Laura Steele and Kathleen McBride found themselves in a battle against Julia Signell and Allie Ryan, beating them by the slimmest of margins 9-7.

Allegheny would come as close to sweeping the singles competition as possible, taking five of six from the Pioneers. Carolyn Shetter cruised in number one singles 6-0, 6-0 and Elyse Schmitt had no problems in the number five singles 6-2, 6-1.

Laura Steele took care of Bayla Weick 6-2, 7-5 in number four singles, while both Janna Dickerson and Courtney O'Brien came away victorious in super-tiebreakers in number three and number six singles respectively.

The win improves the Gators to 6-5 on the season as they will be off until April 6 when they will take part in the Oberlin Shootout in Oberlin, Ohio.

Allegheny 8, Smith 1
Mar 22, 2012 at Hilton Head, S.C. (Hilton Head Beech and Tennis Resort)

Singles competition

1. Carolyn Shetter (ALLW) def. Gianna Teague (SMI) 6-0, 6-0

2. Jordan Dubin (SMI) def. Deborah Landau (ALLW) 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 11-9

3. Janna Dickerson (ALLW) def. Jaimi Inskeep (SMI) 6-4, 1-6, 10-7

4. Laura Steele (ALLW) def. Bayla Weick (SMI) 6-2, 7-5

5. Elyse Schmitt (ALLW) def. Clair Oblamski (SMI) 6-2, 6-1

6. Cortney O'Brien (ALLW) def. Grace McKay-Corkum (SMI) 6-1, 5-7, 10-6

Doubles competition

1. Carolyn Shetter/Deborah Landau (ALLW) def. Gianna Teague/Clair Oblamski (SMI) 8-4

2. Elyse Schmitt/Janna Dickerson (ALLW) def. Jaimi Inskeep/Jordan Dubin (SMI) 8-3

3. Laura Steele/Kathleen McBride (ALLW) def. Julia Signell/Allie Ryan (SMI) 9-7

Match Notes

Smith 4-9

Allegheny 6-5; Regional ranking #25

Allegheny Dominates St. Thomas in Non-Conference Action

3/20/2012 5:51:00 PM

HILTON HEAD, S.C. – The Allegheny women's tennis team took on the Tommies of St. Thomas Tuesday morning, cruising to a 7-2 win.

Allegheny jumped out to a 2-1 lead after the doubles competition, getting wins from their number one and three pairs. In the number one slot Carolyn Shetter and Deborah Landau defeated the pairing of Mary Allen and Rachel Wright 8-6. In number three doubles, Laura Steele and Kathleen McBride had a relatively easy time dispatching Clair Elkins and Kristen Haukoos 8-3.

The Gators continued their dominance in the singles portion, taking five of a possible six points.

Carolyn Shetter cruised in number one singles against Mary Allen 6-1, 6-0. Landau followed suite in number two singles, conquering Rachel Wright 6-2, 6-1.

Janna Dickerson won a battle in her number four singles match against Brittany Alexander, splitting the first two sets and taking the super-tiebreak for the win. Elyse Schmitt easily beat Anna Wright 6-1, 6-1 in number five singles. And in the number six singles position, Cortney O'Brien won the first set 6-4 against Kaitlyn Israel, and then dropped set two 1-6. It came down to a super-tiebreak, and O'Brien outlasted Israel 10-4.

The win improves Allegheny to 5-5 overall, and 2-1 on their spring trip. The Gators will have Wednesday off, and finish their spring trip on Thursday when they will face Smith College at 8:00 a.m.

Allegheny 7, St. Thomas Women 2
Mar 20, 2012 at Hilton Head, S.C. (Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Resort)

Singles competition

1. Carolyn Shetter (ALLW) def. Mary Allen (UST) 6-1, 6-0

2. Deborah Landau (ALLW) def. Rachel Wright (UST) 6-2, 6-1

3. Kara Lefsrud (UST) def. Laura Steele (ALLW) 6-0, 6-4

4. Janna Dickerson (ALLW) def. Brittany Alexander (UST) 3-6, 6-1, 10-3

5. Elyse Schmitt (ALLW) def. Anna Wright (UST) 6-1, 6-1

6. Cortney O'Brien (ALLW) def. Kaitlyn Israel (UST) 6-4, 1-6, 10-4

Doubles competition

1. Carolyn Shetter/Deborah Landau (ALLW) def. Mary Allen/Rachel Wright (UST) 8-6

2. Kara Lefsrud/Brittany Alexander (UST) def. Elyse Schmitt/Janna Dickerson (ALLW) 8-1

3. Laura Steele/Kathleen McBride (ALLW) def. Clair Elkins/Kirsten Haukoos (UST) 8-3

Match Notes

St. Thomas Women 5-1

Allegheny 5-5; Regional ranking #25

Allegheny Takes Down Wisconsin Eau-Claire in Top 25 Regional Battle

3/18/2012 10:34:00 PM

HILTON HEAD, S.C. – The Allegheny women's tennis team played their first match of their annual spring break trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina, and defeated the Bulldogs of Wisconsin Eau-Claire 5-4.

The number one pairing of Carolyn Shetter and Debroah Landau, and number two pairing of Janna Dickerson and Elyse Schmitt both won their doubles matches, giving Allegheny a 2-1 lead going into the singles matches. Shetter and Landau pulled out a close victory over Taylor Heltne and Katie Gillman, prevailing in a tiebreak 9-8 (5).

The Bulldogs would mount a comeback; however, Shetter would defeat Heltne in the number one singles slot to tie things up at four. The match would come down to the number two singles, as Deborah Landau and Gretchen Bachmeier would put on a show for the final point. Landau would take the first set 6-4, and in dramatic fashion take set number two 7-6 (5) in a tiebreak.

The win improves Allegheny to 4-4, and they will be back at it tomorrow when they will face Carleton at 12:00 pm.

Allegheny 5, UW-Eau Claire 4
Mar 18, 2012 at Hilton Head, S.C. (Hilton Head Beach and Tennis Resort)

Singles competition

1. Carolyn Shetter (ALLW) def. Taylor Heltne (UWEC) 6-1, 7-5

2. Deborah Landau (ALLW) def. Gretchen Bachmeier (UWEC) 6-4, 7-6 (7-5)

3. Katie Gillman (UWEC) def. Laura Steele (ALLW) 6-2, 6-0

4. Janna Dickerson (ALLW) def. Maddie Johnson (UWEC) 3-6, 6-2, 10-3

5. Renee Nelson (UWEC) def. Elyse Schmitt (ALLW) 5-7, 6-4, 10-8

6. Lexi DeMario (UWEC) def. Cortney O'Brien (ALLW) 6-0, 6-3

Doubles competition

1. Carolyn Shetter/Deborah Landau (ALLW) def. Taylor Heltne/Katie Gillman (UWEC) 9-8 (7-5)

2. Janna Dickerson/Elyse Schmitt (ALLW) def. Gretchen Bachmeier/Maddie Johnson (UWEC) 8-5

3. Lexi DeMario/Mary Frassetto (UWEC) def. Laura Steele/Kathleen McBride (ALLW) 8-4