PITTSFORD , N.Y. (October 13, 2017)  – The second-seeded Stevens Institute of Technology women's tennis team takes on No. 3 St. John Fisher College in the semifinal round of the 2017 Empire 8 Conference Championship Friday afternoon. Stevens defeated the Cardinals, 7-2, on Sept. 10.

While the Ducks have qualified for 11 consecutive championship tournaments, the program is seeking its first conference championship and the accompanying trip to the NCAA Tournament.

"Obviously, we are here to win our first conference championship," head coach Steve Gachko said. "However, all four teams in this tournament are dangerous and we are taking one match at a time. Our goal has always been to improve a little each day and hopefully peak as a team at the right time. That time is now and we are excited for the challenge!"

Should the Ducks advance to Saturday's championship match, a potential rematch with top-seeded Nazareth College awaits. The Golden Flyers handed Stevens its lone loss on the season back on Sept. 2, but the Ducks enter the tournament riding an eight-game winning streak, including seven straight wins in conference play. An 8-1 victory over Muhlenberg College is Stevens' lone non-conference victory in the only match played outside of the Empire 8.

"It's always a challenge to open up conference play with one of top conference opponents," Gachko commented. "I feel our girls have matured and developed as our season progressed and hope we can show our growth in the postseason. I think the season-opening loss may be all the extra motivation we needed to work that much harder to hopefully face them again!"

Coach Gachko will rely on his top doubles pair of sophomores Julia Earl and Isabella Calandra to continue their strong play as the Ducks look to get out to an early lead in each match via the doubles flights. Earl and Calandra are a perfect 9-0 on the year at No. 1 doubles. Individually, Earl is 7-2 in her first season at No. 1 singles, while Calandra is 2-1 at No. 2 singles and a perfect 6-0 at third singles.

"Honestly, the steady improvement of Julia Earl from last season is a huge reason we are in this position," Gachko reflected. "It's not easy to step up to the top singles and doubles spot so quickly but she was welcomed the challenge with a lot of success and leadership. In addition, we have a lot of girls that have stepped up and contributed in many ways throughout the season - This is one of the deepest teams we've had."

Junior Sydney Zoretic has paired with freshman Chelsea Braithwaite and sophomore Nicole Badalyan to go 6-3 at second doubles and seven different tandems have combined to go 7-2 at third doubles. 

While the team is expecting to hold a lead after doubles play, Stevens is certainly in capable hands in singles play. Junior Victoria Piskarev is a perfect 6-0 in the No. 2 slot and freshman Makenna Sargis has paired with classmate Chelsea Braithwaite to go 15-2 in singles competition. Junior Jill Hadwen, sophomores Joilin Gomez and Gabriella Tantillo have also earned solo victories. Combined, Stevens in 47-7 in singles flights and 22-5 in doubles.

On the other side of the bracket, top-seeded Nazareth takes on Houghton College. The Highlanders qualified for the postseason tournament for the first time in program history.

Links:
Championship Central
Empire 8 Tournament Central

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