Score: Elmira College 5, Alfred University 4
Records: Elmira (6-5, 4-4 Empire 8), Alfred (4-10, 2-6 Empire 8)
Location: Murray Athletic Center Tennis Dome – Pine Valley, NY
 
Pine Valley, NY -- Today marked the end of the 2015 season for the Elmira College women's tennis team, as well as the careers of the four graduating members of the Class of 2016, as the Soaring Eagles edged visiting Alfred University, 5-4. Elmira wraps-up the year with its third consecutive winning record and the program's fourth in the last five years.
 
Elmira opened today's action by winning two of the three doubles matches, neither of which came easy. After falling at third doubles, EC's first doubles tandem of Ayaka Yoshino '16 and Ellen Plowman '16 picked up a crucial 8-5 win, winning by just a single break of serve. At second doubles, Stephanie Tock '16 and Megan Fitzgerald '18 found themselves in a 7-4 hole, just one game away from a loss. However, Tock and Fitzgerald rattled-off five consecutive games to complete a 9-7 comeback win, giving the Purple and Gold a 2-1 lead heading into singles play.
 
Fitzgerald continued to push the pace of today's match, as she closed out her opponent at third singles in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0, as she won the last 17 games played, which includes doubles.
 
Alfred's Emma Siemer brought the score to 3-2 with a win at the fourth singles spot but EC's all-time wins leader, Yoshino, put Elmira back in control of today's match with a 6-2, 6-4 win at the number one position.
 
Needing just one win to close out the Saxons, Elmira turned to fourth-year talent Plowman, who was in a tight battle at second singles. After dropping the first set 4-6, Plowman rallied in the second set to force a third to decide today's match. Plowman would eventually go on and take in three, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
 
In Their Own Words…
Head Coach Tom Linhart on his team's performance…
"Today was not an easy win by any means but it was a great way to finish the season. We had to come back in three matches and I am very proud of the fight and effort we put out there today."
 
Coach Linhart reflects on his seniors ending their careers with a win…
"I am very proud of this group of seniors. They really rose to the occasion all season. This was a great day for them and our program. I am humbled to have coached such a great group of ladies."
 
Turning Point
Like most of the matches throughout the year, today's outcome was more than likely decided in doubles play. With the match tied at 1-1, Elmira's second doubles team of Tock and Fitzgerald trailed 7-4. With absolutely no room for error, the EC duo pieced together one of the most impressive runs by any team this season, as the Soaring Eagles won five straight to win it, 9-7. This win turned out to be very important, as Elmira and Alfred split the singles matches, 3-3.  
 
Match Summary

• Yoshino and Plowman edged Alfred at the number one doubles position by a single break, 8-5.
• After trailing 7-4, Tock and Fitzgerald won five consecutive games to pull out a hard fought 9-7 win at second doubles.
• Fitzgerald blanked her opponent at third singles, 6-0, 6-0.
• Yoshino was once again a straight set winner at the first spot, 6-2, 6-4.
• Plowman rallied from one set down to earn the match-deciding point for EC at second singles, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. 

 
News and Notes

• Elmira concludes the 2015 season with a 6-5 overall record and a 4-4 mark in conference play.
• EC has successfully ended the year with a winning record for a third straight year and the fourth time in the last five seasons.
• The Soaring Eagles end the year with a perfect 6-0 record in home matches.
• Elmira closed out the season strong, winning five of its last seven matches.
• Yoshino concludes her EC career with 73 total career wins, the most in EC history
• Yoshino also owns the most career singles wins (37) and is second in doubles (36).
• Plowman wraps-up her EC career with the programs fourth-most career total wins (50).
• Plowman also ranks fifth in EC history in career singles wins (25) and is tied for fifth in career doubles victories (25).
• Tock ends her EC career in 12^th place for total wins (31) and tied for 10^th in career singles victories (17).
• After just two seasons of play, Fitzgerald is tied for 10^th in total career wins (34), tied for 10^th in career singles wins (17), and is the sole owner of 10^th place in career doubles wins (17).

 
Scores
Singles
1. Ayaka Yoshino (ELMIRA) def. Rachel Cook (ALFRED) 6-2, 6-4
2. Ellen Plowman (ELMIRA) def. Emma Jackson (ALFRED) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
3. Megan Fitzgerald (ELMIRA) def. Kallie Clapper (ALFRED) 6-0, 6-0
4. Emma Siemer (ALFRED) def. Stephanie Tock (ELMIRA) 6-2, 6-3
5. Inda Gillett (ALFRED) def. Emily Green (ELMIRA) 6-3, 5-7, 1-0 (11-9)
6. Abby Williams (ALFRED) def. Caitlin Dwyer (ELMIRA) 6-3, 6-4
 
Doubles
1. Yoshino/Plowman (ELMIRA) def. Jackson/Cook (ALFRED) 8-5
2. Tock/Fitzgerald (ELMIRA) def. Grace/Gillett (ALFRED) 9-7
3. Clapper/Siemer (ALFRED) def. Green/Dwyer (ELMIRA) 8-1
 
Up Next
Today's match concludes the 2015 season for the Soaring Eagles and the four graduating members of the Class of 2016. Elmira says goodbye to Yoshino, Plowman, Tock, and Caitlin Dwyer '16. Since their arrival on campus, the Class of 2016 is responsible for 29 of Elmira's wins, making them the second-most winningest class EC has had since 2000.