Victoria Zezula starred on the State University of New York at New Paltz women's tennis team for four seasons and helped the program to back-to-back conference titles in 2018 and 2019 en route to becoming at two-time All-SUNYAC selection, including being named to the All-SUNAYC First-Team as a junior in 2018.
 
Zezula talked about her experience as a Hawk and why there is only one SUNY New Paltz.  
 

"SUNY New Paltz is not only a university. It's a place I was proud to call home for the past four years. It's filled with individuals I consider my second family. Being a last semester senior and a student-athlete, I've been looking back at my time at New Paltz and all I could do is smile. It has given me life-long relationships and knowledge that will carry me to greater heights. I loved walking to class or practice, seeing the Ridgeline in the distance and the hawks flying up in the sky. The hawk is a symbol of wisdom, taking the lead when the time is right and focusing on tasks at hand to reach your goals. I think that fits the values of SUNY New Paltz perfectly. The community at New Paltz is like no other. Being a part of the New Paltz women's tennis team taught me what teamwork is all about. Tennis is typically an individual sport, and it can be hard to help your teammate when you're not physically on the court with them. But, cheering your teammate on or winning your match can motivate them to fight for theirs. We all help each other. Whether that be in the classroom or on the court, we all want to see each other succeed and we would do anything to help a fellow Hawk. That's what I love about New Paltz and you really couldn't find another place like that. That's why there will always be one SUNY New Paltz."

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