Billy Peterson
Contributing Writer
Kyle DiFranco
Kyle DiFranco has been very consistent and reliable for the Pride all season long. In last weekend’s Williams Invitational in Pittsfield, Mass., DiFranco helped the Pride finish 10th out of 18 teams. In the tournament, DiFranco and fellow teammate Tom Sangeloty shot a team low with 158 strokes and 16 over par. The score tied him for 23rd overall in the tournament. The +16 scores were just nine strokes back of the first place winner. DiFranco, who also plays on the Springfield baseball team, believes that if the team continues to play well, they could find themselves playing down the road for nationals in Florida.
Q. What do you think the team needs to improve on for next weekend’s New England Collegiate Conference Tournament?
A. I honestly don’t think we need to work on anything. We just have to come out and play and put a full round together.
Q. What has been the key to your early personal success?
A. Just a lot of practice and playing with my friends, that has helped me a lot.
Q. How do you see the rest of the season playing out?
A. Well, the way I see it is us winning the conference and getting that trip to Florida and competing in nationals. On paper, we are the best team in the conference; we just have to show up and play.
Q. How has your experience on the golf team been like?
A. It’s been great; I’ve had a lot of fun, and we get to play on a lot of very nice courses for free.
Q. What is your favorite course to play at?
A. I would have to say Taconic Country Club; it is a beautiful course.
Erin Woodbury
Erin Woodbury has played a big role on the court for the Pride this season, playing in both singles and doubles for the women’s tennis team. In a loss to Wheaton on Sept. 22, Woodbury was one of the few bright spots for the Pride winning her singles match (6-4, 6-4) as well as her doubles match with Amy Buttarazzi (8-2). Woodbury then helped the Pride notch a 9-0 victory over Suffolk on Saturday, Sept. 29, by winning her singles match in straight sets and winning doubles with Buttarazzi (8-1). In the team’s first NEWMAC win of the season against Smith College on Tuesday, Woodbury held her own again by winning her singles (6-1, 6-1) and doubles match (8-1). The senior has played No. 3 singles and No. 3 doubles in all six matches this year, going 5-1 in singles competition and 5-1 in doubles competition.
Q. How has the team played through its first six games?
A. I think we have played really well and we’ve worked very hard. Even in our losses we’ve kept playing hard and shown pride until the end.
Q. How important was it for the team to get its first NEWMAC win of the season?
A. It was definitely important. Smith College is always a contender with us, and this is our first time beating them in a while.
Q. What are your team goals for the rest of the season?
A. Well, one of our goals is to make NEWMAC playoffs, which would mean winning two more NEWMAC games. Another goal would be just to work hard for every match and not to give up.
Q. What has your experience been like on the tennis team?
A. It has definitely been a good experience because you get to meet a bunch of new people and do something on campus that is important to the students, as well as the school, because sports are a big deal here.
Q. Which do you prefer, playing singles or playing doubles?
A. In the past, I have enjoyed singles more, but doubles have been going really well this year, and I love playing with my doubles partner Amy Buttarazzi. I would have to say I equally enjoy playing both this season.