AVRIL KING
Social Media Manager and Assistant Sports Editor
After a hugely successful season last fall, junior exercise science major Olivia Miller from the Fredonia women’s tennis team was selected by coaches in the league to receive the SUNYAC Second Team All-Conference award.
Miller received this honor after a record-setting 11-1 season in second singles, as well as playing injured at the SUNYAC tournament in Binghamton.
“They watched her play that last match [at SUNYACs] against Oswego, and she was playing with one leg basically,” said Women’s Tennis Coach Greg Catalano. “She was limping all over the place and winning the match and it was amazing.”
She was selected to receive the title back in October but was given the official award on Sunday by Catalano and her teammates.
Miller, a junior, is the second Fredonia tennis player to receive the recognition, after Chloe Cohen in 2016. Cohen was also a second singles player and graduated in 2017.
With a 26-10 overall singles record over her three seasons, Miller is glad for the recognition.
“[Receiving the award] means a lot. My hard work has paid off and it felt good,” she said.
Still, her focus is on the season ahead. She and Catalano have many goals for her final season at Fredonia.
“I have not lost a singles match at SUNYACs yet these past two years,” she said. “I want to continue that, but I also want to work a lot more on doubles.”
Playing with sophomore Anna Chiacchia, who was last season’s first singles player, the pair finished the season with a 7-6 overall record at first doubles.
“Individually, Anna and I are really good at singles, but not doubles,” she said. “Also, being at first doubles, it’s harder for us, but we definitely need to work on doubles a lot.”
Last on her list of goals was to beat SUNY Geneseo in a match, especially since her only singles loss of the season was to a Geneseo player.
“Olivia is a true competitor in every sense of the word,” said Catalano. “She works as hard as any athlete that I’ve ever coached, and I’ve coached for 40 years, so I’m talking men and women, girls and boys. She’s probably one of the most dedicated athletes I’ve ever coached.”
Catalano has been especially impressed with her, considering she only started playing tennis competitively when she came to Fredonia her freshman year.
“What I’m expecting from her senior season, I get every year,” he said. “She gives me her best. So, whatever happens, happens, but I never have to worry about her as far as taking a day off. She’ll play hurt. She’s such a competitive person and a great leader.”
Despite receiving this SUNYAC honor, Miller is ready to take on the next challenge as she finishes her Fredonia career.