Stevens Women's Tennis Snaps Ithaca's 57-Match Win Streak to Earn Empire 8 Regular Season Title
HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 9, 2011) – The Stevens Institute of Technology women’s tennis team earned a 6-3 decision over Ithaca College on Sunday to win the Empire 8 regular season title and hand the Bombers their first conference loss in six years. Freshman Jessica Bourque led the way with a dominant 6-2, 6-0 victory at first singles and teamed with sophomore Lisa Tessitore to win 8-4 at first doubles.
“This was a great win for us today and really a terrific effort from our whole team,” said Stevens head coach Steve Gachko. “Ithaca is always a tough team and I’m really proud that we were able to come together to earn this important win and the number one seed in the Empire 8 playoffs.”
As the day began with doubles competition, the Ducks’ first doubles pair of Bourque and Tessitore won 8-4. Becky Campbell (Chadds Ford, Pa.) and Carly Siegel (Dix Hills, N.Y.) of Ithaca won their second doubles match by the same margin, leaving third doubles to decide which team would have the advantage at the break.
Senior Morgan Scalzi and freshman Danielle Stewart of Stevens battled with Allison Vizgatis (Fayetteville, N.Y.) and Laurel Salladay (Hempsted, N.H.) to the tiebreak, with the Ducks ultimately pulling out a gritty 9-8 win for the 2-1 match lead.
At singles, senior Mine Bese was the first one done after a 6-3, 6-4 win at fourth singles. Bourque followed that one with her 6-2, 6-0 win a first singles, leaving Stevens one result away from clinching the win.
Siegel kept the Bombers in it with her 6-3, 6-1 win a second singles.
Finally it was Stewart who delivered the win and regular-season crown with her 6-3, 6-0 victory at third singles to clinch the match for Stevens.
Tessitore, playing on an isolated court, also earned a 3-6, 6-3 (10-7) comeback win to provide the extra margin for Stevens as they took down the five-time defending conference champions.
The Ducks will be the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Empire 8 tournament for the first time. The playoffs will take place on October 22 – 23 at a site with indoor capabilities to be determined.