ONEONTA, N.Y. — For the third time in her illustrious career, Hartwick Women's Tennis Head Coach Samantha Butcher has been named the Empire 8 Conference Coach of the Year, as voted on by the league's head coaches.
Under Butcher's leadership, the Hawks continued their dominance throughout the 2025 season, capturing their third Empire 8 Championship in four years and securing back-to-back titles for the first time in program history.
Hartwick finished the fall with a 13-2 overall record, with its only losses coming to regional powerhouses Ithaca and RIT of the Liberty League. The Hawks were once again flawless against Empire 8 competition, posting an 8-0 conference record for the fourth consecutive season.
In total, Hartwick dropped just four individual points against conference opponents all year—including postseason play—extending the program's remarkable 33-match win streak over Empire 8 competition.
Butcher's impact was evident across the lineup, as all six starters earned All-Conference honors, while the tandem of Phoebe Olson and Gianna Leggieri was named the Empire 8 Doubles Team of the Year under her guidance.
This marks Butcher's third career Empire 8 Coach of the Year award, having previously been honored in 2022 and 2024.
Full Empire 8 Release
About Hartwick College:
Hartwick, often referred to as The Life Balance College, is a private liberal arts and sciences institution in Oneonta, N.Y. Through its distinctive FlightPath approach, Hartwick blends academic excellence, career preparation and an active campus life to help students achieve a balanced and fulfilling college experience. With transparent tuition and a focus on health and wellness, Hartwick prepares students for lifelong success—both professionally and personally.
