Pine Valley, NY – The Elmira College Women's Tennis team lost a hard fought match today against the Red Dragons of SUNY Oneonta, 8-1. Despite only claiming a point, the Soaring Eagles showed fight and growth in their tennis games.

In doubles play, Alex Putney '12 (Dundee, NY -- Hammondsport) and Bri Palmiero '12 (Rochester, NY -- Bishop Kearney) gave their opponents a scare as they pushed their match to an 8-6 finish in favor of the Red Dragons. The duo had control of the match at as they were ahead 5-3 at one point.

In singles play there were several competitive matches. At first singles Putney played a tough first set dropping it 6-3 before falling in the second, 6-1. Her doubles partner Palmiero picked up a straight set victory at the third position by the score of 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-2). The Rochester native went up in the first set 5-2 before her opponent rallied to force a breaker for the set. Palmiero's steady play allowed her to control the breaker and thus giving her the set. The second set was a battle from the start as both players refused to back down. Just like the first, a tie breaker was needed to decide the outcome. Palmiero won 6 of the first 7 points, all but sealing the victory. Today's win gives her a four match singles win streak.

First year player Emily Marois '14 (Brooklyn, CT -- Woodstock Academy) battled at the fifth spot. She would lose the first set 6-2 but raised her level of play in the second to force a tiebreak. Marois would come up with big shots in the breaker but stumbled mid-way through allowing her opponent to sneak out with a 7-4 win in the breaker.

EC Women's Tennis returns to action tomorrow as they travel to take on the Panthers of Pitt-Bradford at 4:00 p.m. in a non-conference battle.