Oneida’s Laureti, Skibitski in qualifiers

The Division II doubles title match on Thursday came down to Oneida duos Brianna Laureti and Lauren Skibitski, versus Julianna Cavanagh and Anna Hood.

ONEIDA, N.Y. » No matter what happened, Oneida Tennis was walking away with a championship in Division II doubles.

The title match on Thursday came down to Oneida duos of Brian a Laure ti& Lauren Ski bit ski and Julian na Cavanagh & Anna Hood.

Teammates turned opponents in a contest that coach Todd Hicks says he has seen often during his tenure.

“I just sit back and enjoy the match. I don’t coach either side,” Hicks said of scenarios where Oneida has two doubles duos going head to head.

Laureti and Skibitski got the better of their teammates Thursday afternoon, breezing to a 6-0, 6-1 victory and a birth to the section III girls tennis state qualifiers.

“You just have to not think of them as friends,” Laureti said of facing longtime teammates. “You have to focus on playing first.”

Laureti attributed solid ground strokes and good serves to the win she and Skibitski shared.

The upcoming schedule for Laureti and Skibitski should they advance to the state tournament would be as follows:

•Monday, Oct. 16 - Seed- ing Meeting

•Tuesday, Oct. 17 - State Qualifiers {Drumlins}

•Thursday, Oct. 19 - State Qualifiers {Drumlins}

• October 27th- 30th - State Tournament

A year ago, Laureti and Skibitski became the first Oneida girls tennis players to advance to the state tournament in 10 years. Twin sisters Aubrey and Brianne Bobo were the last two to advance that far, going three straight years from 2004-06.

“The goal is to go back where we were last year, but first things first, we need to win matches,” Skibitski said of the upcoming Tuesday qualifiers.

JOHN BREWER - ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH Lauren Skibitski returns a shot during Thursday’s Division II doubles final.

JOHN BREWER - ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH Briana Laureti serves during Thursday’s Division II doubles final.