FREDONIA, N.Y. -- A shift of SUNYAC women's tennis from fall to spring has had an impact on the Fredonia State roster as it embarks on the 2021 season starting Friday.

Sarah Bunk, a top player for the Blue Devils the past three seasons, is student-teaching on her native Long Island and unable to participate in her senior season. With a three-season singles record of 32-6, Bunk has a winning percentage of .842 -- the best in program history. She is also tied for the school record with 32 doubles wins. "The switch to the spring season," interim head coach Dave Kinkela said, "has impacted our overall team strength," in reference to Bunk's absence.

That leaves junior Jane Chiacchia as the most-accomplished returning player. Her 21-8 singles mark results in a .724 winning percentage, the third-best mark in program history and one spot ahead of her older sister, Anna, who graduated last May second all-time with 37 singles wins and tied with Bunk atop the doubles' win list. 

The other returnees are senior Taylor Marelli and junior Dominique Martello. They are joined by four newcomers -- sophomores Bella Surma and Sarah O'Leary, and freshmen Gabby Gance and Princess Unita Obi. The season opens with three straight non-conference home matches, led by Friday's 3 p.m. encounter with Penn State Behrend. The start of the SUNYAC portion of the season is April 15 at Brockport.

""This year's team," Kinkela said, "looks to be competitive across the six singles and three doubles formats. ... It's an abbreviated season, but it's great to be able to play and compete with other schools."