Women's Tennis | 10/12/2019 8:21:00 PM
HOUGHTON, NY -- Houghton women's tennis has earned its second appearance in the Empire 8 Tournament after Saturday's 7-2 win over Alfred University in the Kerr-Pegula Field House.
The match was scheduled to be played in Alfred but was moved to Houghton due to poor weather conditions, and the Highlanders took advantage of their home courts.
Houghton swept the three doubles matches, with the tandems of Elis Swanson and Catie Moore (8-4), Erin Haley and Alicia Cline (8-3) and Tessa Brown and Maddison Soth (8-4) earning the wins. The win by Swanson and Moore gave them a perfect 6-0 record in E8 play this fall.
The Highlanders then claimed victories in first (Elise Swanson), second (Erin Haley), fourth (Alicia Cline) and fifth (Tessa Brown) singles matches. Brown clinched the victory for Houghton with her 6-3, 6-0 match win.
"The girls played amazing today. This was the match we've been working towards all year and they really came out to win it," said Head Coach
Tonya McGraner. "They played focused, confident, and unified. Across the board the girls gave strong doubles performances, and we were able to bring that momentum forward with us into singles to take the match. I'm super proud of them!"
Houghton now moves on to the Empire 8 Tournament next weekend, which will be hosted by top-seed St. John Fisher College. The Highlanders and Cardinals will battle in one semifinal, while No. 2 Nazareth takes on No. 3 Sage in the other semi.
Houghton (5-8 overall, 3-3 E8) last played in the E8 Tournament during the 2017-18 season.