HOUGHTON, N.Y. (October 15, 2016) – The second-seeded Stevens Institute of Technology women's tennis team was unable to overcome a doubles deficit Saturday, falling to top-seeded Ithaca 5-2 in the Empire 8 final.
The loss ends Stevens' season at 9-2, while Ithaca (10-0) will move onto the NCAA Tournament this spring.
Ithaca grabbed the early advantage after taking wins at first and third doubles to start the match. Senior
Alexis Connor and freshman
Isabella Calandra dropped the 8-4 decision at first, while sophomores
Julia Earl and
Jill Hadwen were narrowly edged at third in a tiebreaker, 9-8.
Junior
Katrina Guido and sophomore
Sydney Zoretic were able to salvage a point for the Ducks at second with an 8-6 win, completing an undefeated season for the pair.
Stevens picked up one more point with Calandra's 6-0, 6-3 win at fourth, but Ithaca sealed the win with straight-set wins at first, second and fifth.
"I could not be more proud of the fight our ladies gave us today as well as this entire season," head coach
Steve Gachko said. "We showed continued improvement as the season progressed, and put ourselves in a great position to win the championship today. We refused to back down, and battled until the last point. I'm very excited to build upon our success and come back even stronger next season."
The Ducks will return to the courts in 2017 for their spring schedule.
1. Haley Kusak/Caroline Dunn (ITHACA) def.
Alexis Connor/
Isabella Calandra (STEVENS) 8-4
2.
Katrina Guido/
Sydney Zoretic (STEVENS) def. Brianna Ruback/Taylor Ginestro (ITHACA) 8-6
3. Kathryn Shaffer/Maddie Overholt (ITHACA) def.
Julia Earl/
Jill Hadwen (STEVENS) 9-8
1. Haley Kusak (ITHACA) def.
Alexis Connor (STEVENS) 6-1, 6-3
2. Brianna Ruback (ITHACA) def.
Katrina Guido (STEVENS) 6-0, 6-0
3. Caroline Dunn (ITHACA) vs.
Sydney Zoretic (STEVENS) 6-3, 5-2, unfinished
4.
Isabella Calandra (STEVENS) def. Jodi Grosberg (ITHACA) 6-0, 6-3
5. Kathryn Shaffer (ITHACA) def.
Nicole Badalyan (STEVENS) 6-4, 6-2
6. Maddie Overholt (ITHACA) vs.
Jillian Morneau (STEVENS) 1-6, 5-5, unfinished
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