Elmira Clinches E8 Berth with 8-1 Victory over Alfred
Alfred, NY -- The Elmira College women's tennis team (6-1, 5-1 E8) continued their season of dominance this afternoon as the Soaring Eagles rolled past Alfred University (3-5, 3-3 E8), 8-1. Today's win over Saxons secures a spot for Elmira in the 2014 Empire 8 Conference Tournament, marking the second consecutive season the Soaring Eagles have qualified for the year-end conference tournament.
Elmira began today's match by winning two of three doubles matches, picking up wins at first and second doubles. EC's doubles victories did not come without a fight as both wins were decided by a single break.
First doubles partners
Kimberly Salkin '18 and
Ayaka Yoshino '16 earned an 8-5 win, as did Elmira's second doubles tandem of
Kayla Fitzgerald '15 and
Megan Fitzgerald '18. Elmira's third doubles team of
Ellen Plowman '16 and
Kristi Chanda '17 battled but came up just short by the narrowest of margins, falling 9-8 in a tiebreaker.
However, Elmira made a statement with their play in singles as the Soaring Eagles marched away with all six singles points, with only one match going to a third set.
After taking the first set by just one break, Salkin turned things up in the second, cruising to a 6-3, 6-0 victory at the number one singles position. Doubles partner, Yoshino, made quick work of her opponent at the second spot, winning 6-2, 6-1.
Captain
Amy Schmidt '15 had a tough first set before making routine work of her opponent in the second set at third singles, winning 6-4, 6-1. Classmate and reigning Empire 8 Conference Player of the Week,
Kayla Fitzgerald '15, continued her dominance at fourth singles as she picked up a 6-2, 6-1 win. For Fitzgerald, today's victory in singles and doubles increases her dual match win streak to eight matches. More impressively, today's victories bring her combined season record to a staggering 13-1 mark.
At fifth singles,
Megan Fitzgerald '18 rolled, winning 6-2, 6-0. Fitzgerald has a win streak of her own as the rookie talent has yet to drop a set, or match this season, owning an unblemished 10-0 record. Somehow her 10-0 mark still does not speak to the level she has played at this season as she has won 100-of-122 total possible games in singles and doubles this year.
Wrapping-up singles play for the Soaring Eagles was
Ellen Plowman '16 who grinded out a tough three-setter at the sixth singles position. After dropping the first set 4-6, Plowman recovered to win the next two sets, 6-2, 6-3.
Following today's victory, Elmira will take a break from dual match play as the Soaring Eagles prepare for the prestigious USTA-ITA Northeast Regional Championship, an individual tournament that will begin on Saturday, September 27th. The tournament will be held at the Hobart William Smith Tennis Center in Geneva, NY.
Singles Competition
1.
Kimberly Salkin (ELMIRA) def. Brennan Ferguson (ALFRED) 6-3, 6-0
2.
Ayaka Yoshino (ELMIRA) def. Rachel Cook (ALFRED) 6-2, 6-1
3.
Amy Schmidt (ELMIRA) def. Emma Jackson (ALFRED) 6-4, 6-1
4.
Kayla Fitzgerald (ELMIRA) def. Emily Eisenberg (ALFRED) 6-2, 6-1
5.
Megan Fitzgerald (ELMIRA) def. Betsy Clark (ALFRED) 6-2, 6-0
6.
Ellen Plowman (ELMIRA) def. Kallie Clapper (ALFRED) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
Doubles Competition
1. Salkin/Yoshino (ELMIRA) def. Cook/Jackson (ALFRED) 8-5
2. Fitzgerald/Fitzgerald (ELMIRA) def. Ferguson/Eisenberg (ALFRED) 8-5
3. Clark/Grace (ALFRED) def. Plowman/Chanda (ELMIRA) 9-8