Score: Elmira College 6, Houghton College 3
Records: Elmira (5-5, 3-4 Empire 8), Houghton (6-6, 3-5 Empire 8)
Location: Murray Athletic Center Tennis Dome – Pine Valley, NY
 
Pine Valley, NY -- The Elmira College women's tennis record books will need to be rewritten following today's 6-3 win over Houghton College, as Ayaka Yoshino '16 became the program's all-time leader in career wins after picking up a pair of victories against the visiting Highlanders. Yoshino ups her career win total to 71, which includes 36 singles wins and 35 doubles wins, as she surpasses former record-holder Olivia Garcia '05.
 
Elmira made a statement early in today's match, as the Soaring Eagles swept the doubles matches for just the third time this season to take a 3-0 lead into singles. EC needed just two wins in singles to down Houghton, but instead clinched the victory with three wins coming at the first, second, and third spots.
 
Yoshino was one of three double-winners for the Soaring Eagles this afternoon, as Ellen Plowman '16 and Megan Fitzgerald '18 also picked up two wins against Houghton.  
 
In Their Own Words…
Head Coach Tom Linhart on his team's performance…
"Today was a hard-fought tough-win for our ladies. Coming off a long stint of not having a match was a challenge for us but we did a great job of starting quick and shaking off a bit of dust."
 
Coach Linhart on his team's play in home matches this year…
"There is something about playing at the domes that has a calming effect on this team. We have great fans and the energy really rises for us as a result. The domes can be a bit of a home court advantage for us and our team really thrives off knowing that."
 
Coach Linhart shares his thoughts on Yoshino and her record-breaking day…
"What can I say about Ayaka – she is truly a class act. She competes with a great amount of pride, poise, and is a true champion. She is incredibly deserving of this record and we could not be more proud of her."
 
Turning Point
Once again, the key in today's win was Elmira's superb play in doubles, as the Purple and Gold picked up wins at all three spots. In Houghton's 12 matches this year, they have failed to claim at least one doubles point in just three of their matches, all three resulting in losses. Elmira has swept the doubles points three times this season, with all three resulting in EC victories.
 
Match Summary

• Yoshino and Plowman were 8-0 winners at first doubles.
• Stephanie Tock '16 teamed up with Fitzgerald for a 9-7 win at second doubles.
• Caitlin Dwyer '16 and Emily Green '18 picked up an 8-4 win at the third spot.
• Yoshino opened singles action with another straight set win, 6-2, 6-2.
• Earning the match-deciding point this afternoon was Plowman, who tallied a 6-1, 6-2 win at second singles.
• After winning the first set by a single break, Fitzgerald pieced together an impressive second set for a 7-5, 6-2 win at the third position.

 
News and Notes

• Yoshino becomes Elmira's all-time wins leader with 71 career victories (36 singles, 35 doubles).
• Elmira improves to 5-5 on the season and 3-4 in conference play.
• The Soaring Eagles are a perfect 5-0 at home this season.
• Elmira swept the doubles matches for a third time this year and are 3-0 in those matches.
• EC is 4-2 in its last six matches.

 
Scores
Singles
1. Ayaka Yoshino (ELMIRA) def. Bethany Chesebro (HOUGHTON) 6-2, 6-2
2. Ellen Plowman (ELMIRA) def. Tori Noller (HOUGHTON) 6-1, 6-2
3. Megan Fitzgerald (ELMIRA) def. Laura Jacuzzo (HOUGHTON) 7-5, 6-2
4. Jacquelyn Lewis (HOUGHTON) def. Stephanie Tock (ELMIRA) 6-2, 6-4
5. Tera Anderson (HOUGHTON) def. Emily Green (ELMIRA) 6-1, 6-1
6. Toni Kling (HOUGHTON) def. Caitlin Dwyer (ELMIRA) 6-4, 6-1
 
Doubles
1. Yoshino/Plowman (ELMIRA) def. Chesebro/Noller (HOUGHTON) 8-0
2. Fitzgerald/Tock (ELMIRA) def. Jacuzzo/Lewis (HOUGHTON) 9-7
3. Green/Dwyer (ELMIRA) def. Hale/Anderson (HOUGHTON) 8-4
 
Up Next
The Elmira women conclude the 2015 season tomorrow, October 11th, when the Soaring Eagles welcome Alfred University for an Empire 8 Conference showdown. Tomorrow's match is slated for 1:00 p.m. at the Murray Athletic Center Tennis Dome.