Score: Elmira College 8, Utica College 1
Records: Elmira College (3-3, 2-2 E8), Utica College (0-5, 0-3 E8)
Location: Murray Athletic Center Tennis Courts | Pine Valley, NY
 
Pine Valley, NY -- In another must-win Empire 8 Conference match, the Elmira College women's tennis team prevailed with an 8-1 dismantling of visiting Utica College. With the win, Elmira improves to .500 in conference play and remains unbeaten this season at the friendly confines of the Murray Athletic Center Tennis Courts.
 
Doubles was once again a key factor in today's match, as the Soaring Eagles picked up wins at all three positions.  Elmira was swift about their business on the doubles court, winning 24-of-27 games played to take a 3-0 lead into singles action.
 
In singles, Elmira would win matches at first, second, third, fourth, and sixth singles to seal the 8-1 victory.  Clinching today's match for the Soaring Eagles was Megan Fitzgerald '18, who has won the deciding match in all three of Elmira's wins this season.
 
In Their Own Words…
Head Coach Tom Linhart on his team's performance…
"I am really pleased with how confident our team played today. As a group we played at the level we know we are capable of playing at and had a convincing victory because of it."
 
Coach Linhart on improving to 2-2 in the E8…
"It is great to get on a winning streak in conference play, especially with the season getting closer to its end where every win becomes more and more crucial. Overall, the wins give us confidence that we can compete with everyone and gives us much needed momentum with some crucial matches coming up."
 
Turning Point
Similar to yesterday's match, the turning point was Elmira's dominance in doubles play.  Elmira claimed all three doubles points, dropping just three games in the process.  The momentum from sweeping doubles once again carried over into singles play, as Elmira's top four singles players did not drop a single game in their wins.
 
Match Recap

• Elmira won all three doubles matches for a second time this season.
• Ayaka Yoshino '16 and Ellen Plowman '16 teamed up for an 8-0 win at first doubles.
• Stephanie Tock '16 and Megan Fitzgerald '18 were 8-1 winners at second doubles.
• Emily Green '18 and Caitlin Dwyer '16 picked up an 8-2 win at the third spot.
• Yoshino was a winner at first singles after her opponent Rose Zaloom retired in the second set.
• Plowman, Fitzgerald, and Tock were all 6-0, 6-0 winners at second, third, and fourth singles, respectively.
• Dwyer dropped just two games total for a 6-1, 6-1 victory at the sixth spot.

 
News and Notes

• Dating back to 2000, Elmira has won 19 consecutive matches against Utica.
• Elmira is back to .500 overall and in conference play for the first time this season.
• The Soaring Eagles have won two consecutive matches.
• All three of Elmira's wins this season have occurred at home.
• Elmira has only dropped four matches when playing at the Murray Athletic Center this season (9-0, 6-3, 8-1).
• Elmira swept doubles play for a second time this year, the other coming against D'Youville College.
• Plowman is now in sole possession of sixth place in Elmira history for total career wins (43).
• Fitzgerald has won the match-deciding contest in each of Elmira's three wins this year.

 
Scores
Singles
1. Ayaka Yoshino (ELMIRA) def. Rose Zaloom (UTICA) 6-0, retired
2. Ellen Plowman (ELMIRA) def. Monica Johnson (UTICA) 6-0, 6-0
3. Megan Fitzgerald (ELMIRA) def. Anastasia Fitzpatric (UTICA) 6-0, 6-0
4. Stephanie Tock (ELMIRA) def. Gabriella Morreale (UTICA) 6-0, 6-0
5. LuLu Zhang (UTICA) def. Emily Green (ELMIRA) 6-4, 6-2
6. Caitlin Dwyer (ELMIRA) def. Shannon Fillmore (UTICA) 6-1, 6-1
 
Doubles
1. Ayaka Yoshino/Ellen Plowman (ELMIRA) def. Anastasia Fitzpatric/Doni Look (UTICA) 8-0
2. Stephanie Tock/Megan Fitzgerald (ELMIRA) def. LuLu Zhang/Gabriella Morreale (UTICA) 8-1
3. Emily Green/Caitlin Dwyer (ELMIRA) def. Shannon Fillmore/Angelee Smith (UTICA) 8-2
 
Up Next
Elmira is back in action this Tuesday, September 22nd, when the Purple and Gold make the short trip to Ithaca, NY to face the Bombers of Ithaca College.  The match against Ithaca, which is set for 4:00 p.m., will be Elmira's third match in four days.