ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's tennis team will look to get back to its winning ways this weekend, when the Soaring Eagles resume their 2016 fall schedule. Elmira continues its conference slate on Friday, September 9th, with a 4:00 p.m. road bout against Utica College, before returning to the Murray Athletic Center on Sunday, September 11th, for a 12:00 p.m. showdown with Fredonia.
LAST TIME OUT: Elmira opened Empire 8 play this past Wednesday evening, when the Soaring Eagles traveled to face Houghton College. Despite wins at the top part of their lineup, the Purple and Gold would fall to the Highlanders by a 6-3 final.
Tilila El Yazidi '20 and
Megan Fitzgerald '18 were double-winners for EC, as the duo picked up an 8-5 win at first doubles, before earning singles victories at the first and second positions, respectively.
FITZGERALD CLIMBS CHARTS: With four total wins on the season,
Megan Fitzgerald '18 moved up in the EC record book in three major categories. The Thomaston, Connecticut, native moved into a two-way tie for ninth place for total career wins (38), just two shy of becoming the ninth player to record 40-plus wins. She also jumped in the career singles and doubles wins list; Fitzgerald is tied for seventh in singles wins (19) and tied for eighth in doubles victories (19).
FLAWLESS START FOR FROSH: First-year talent
Tilila El Yazidi '20 came to Elmira with high expectations. The international product has not disappointed, as the rookie netter boasts a flawless 4-0 overall record through the team's first two matches. Even more impressive is that El Yazidi has produced all of her wins at the top singles and doubles positions.
SCOUTING UTICA: The Pioneers are 0-1 on the year, after suffering a 9-0 setback in their season- and home-opener to Empire 8 powerhouse, Ithaca College. Ithaca made quick work of the Pioneers, dispatching the hosts by winning 96-of-101 games. Utica's starting lineup against Ithaca was comprised of four returners, who filled in at singles spots third through six, while two newcomers, Julianne Pieros and Sara Gribanoff, took over the top two singles positions.
SCOUTING FREDONIA: The Blue Devils are 1-1 on the year, with a 9-0 win over D'Youville and a 7-2 loss to Penn State Behrend. Olivia Miller holds down the top singles and doubles positions and owns a 2-2 overall record thus far. Anna Chiacchia leads the team with a 3-1 overall record, which includes a 1-1 mark in doubles and a perfect 2-0 record in singles. Chiacchia's two victories occurred at second and third singles, so look for her to fill one of the top three spots in Sunday's match against the Soaring Eagles.
ALL-TIME SERIES: Friday's conference match with Utica marks the 28th all-time meeting between the two programs. Elmira holds a hefty 26-1 lead in the all-time series. Sunday's match with Fredonia on the other hand will be the first all-time meeting between the Soaring Eagles and Blue Devils.
LOOKING AHEAD: Following Sunday's non-conference bout with Fredonia, Elmira will resume its conference slate with a Thursday, September 15th, clash with perennial Empire 8 power, Ithaca. Wednesday's match is set to begin at 4:00 p.m. at EC's Murray Athletic Center.
