Score: Elmira College 6, St. John Fisher College 3
Records: Elmira College (2-3, 1-2 E8), St. John Fisher (0-5, 0-4 E8)
Location: Murray Athletic Center Tennis Courts | Pine Valley, NY
 
Pine Valley, NY -- History books will be rewritten following today's Empire 8 Conference contest, as Ayaka Yoshino '16 moved into first place in EC history in career singles wins in a 6-3 win for the Elmira College women's tennis team against St. John Fisher College.  Today's win over the Cardinals is Elmira's first Empire 8 victory of the season.
 
Elmira did well to set the tone early in today's match, as the Soaring Eagles won 2-of-3 doubles matches, claiming victories at first and second doubles.  Yoshino teamed up with Ellen Plowman '16 for an 8-1 win at the number one spot while the second doubles tandem of Stephanie Tock '16 and Megan Fitzgerald '18 picked up an 8-4 win.
 
In singles action, the Soaring Eagles showed that their strong suite is most certainly the top half of their lineup, as Elmira received wins at first, second, third and fourth singles.  The Cardinals picked up wins at fifth and six, but that would be it as the Purple and Gold earned a 6-3 win.
 
Clinching today's match for Elmira was Plowman at second singles.
 
In Their Own Words…
Head Coach Tom Linhart on his team's performance…
"Today was a great team win. We really competed at a high level all the way around. I was really impressed by our teams poise in a must-win conference situation."
 
Coach Linhart on his team's doubles play…
"I cannot stress how much winning two doubles points was today. It really fired us up and gave us momentum to close out the match early in singles."
 
Coach Linhart on what today's win does for EC moving forward…
"It was crucial not only to get a conference win under our belts but to do it in such a convincing and confident manor. This will give us some much needed momentum and hopefully we can close out tomorrow and get the sweep."
 
Coach Linhart on Yoshino breaking the EC singles record
"I could not be more proud of Ayaka. She has set that record playing at the highest part of our line up but she has also done it with great poise and humility. She is truly a class act. It is an honor to coach her as she is an amazing representative of our program and college."
 
Turning Point
Today's turning point was simply Elmira's play in doubles.  Historically, St. John Fisher is known for playing good doubles which usually sets the tone for singles play. However, with Elmira winning 2-of-3 matches, the Soaring Eagles took a 2-1 lead into singles play which would allow the Soaring Eagles to play a little looser in singles.  The momentum carried over proved to be import as EC won the first four singles matches that went on court.
 
Match Recap

• Elmira won doubles matches at first and second doubles.
• Yoshino and Plowman were 8-1 winners at first doubles while Tock and Fitzgerald were 8-4 winners at second.
• Yoshino dropped just two games in a 6-1, 6-1 win at first singles.
• Plowman was a 6-3, 6-0 winner at second singles.
• Fitzgerald was victorious, 6-2, 6-1 at the third spot.
• Tock rallied from one set down to claim a 3-6, 6-4, 10-4 victory at fourth singles. 

 
News and Notes

• Yoshino moves into sole possession of first place in career singles victories (32).
• Yoshino also moves into sole possession of second place in EC history in career doubles wins (31).
• Plowman moved into a two-way tie for sixth place in Elmira history for total career wins (41).
• Elmira has won four straight against St. John Fisher dating back to the 2012 season.
• Four out of the last five meetings have been 6-3 decisions, with EC winning three of those matches.
• Elmira has won at least 2-of-3 doubles points in their last five meetings with Fisher.

 
Scores
Singles
1. Ayaka Yoshino (ELMIRA) def. Sarah Sorrentino (FISHER) 6-1, 6-1
2. Ellen Plowman (ELMIRA) def. Amanda Pendergast (FISHER) 6-3, 6-0
3. Megan Fitzgerald (ELMIRA) def. Katey Padden (FISHER) 6-2, 6-1
4. Stephanie Tock (ELMIRA) def. Olivia Rotondo (FISHER) 3-6, 6-4, 10-4
5. Caroline Seaberg (FISHER) def. Emily Green (ELMIRA) 6-2, 6-2
6. Eileen Fleming (FISHER) def. Caitlin Dwyer (ELMIRA) 6-3, 6-2
 
Doubles
1. Yoshino/Plowman (ELMIRA) def. Rotondo/Sorrentino (FISHER) 8-1
2. Tock/Fitzgerald (ELMIRA) def. Seaberg/Padden (FISHER) 8-4
3. Fleming/Pendergast (FISHER) def. Dwyer/Green (ELMIRA) 8-2
 
Up Next
Elmira will have a short turnaround, as the Soaring Eagles play host to visiting Utica College tomorrow, September 20th.  Sunday's Empire 8 Conference match is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the Murray Athletic Center Tennis Courts in Pine Valley, NY.