Utica, NY (9-23-13) - The Utica College women's tennis team returns to action this week as it hits the road for back-to-back matches starting Tuesday against Empire 8 Conference rival Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY.

Match Particulars

Tuesday's match will take place at the Hartwick Tennis Courts on the Hawk's campus and is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. … On Wednesday, UC journeys across town to face the Hamilton College Continentals for a 4 p.m. volley … The match against Hamilton will take place at Gray Tennis Courts which is a nine-court facility that was resurfaced in 2013 … In the event of poor weather conditions, the team moves inside to adjacent Margaret Bundy Scott Field House … The field house was renovated and resurfaced in 2010, and accommodates four tennis courts.

UC in 2013

The Pioneers are off to a rough start at 0-6 on the season including a 0-4 mark in the competitive Empire 8 … After losing back-to-back matches on the road against Ithaca and Houghton, Utica returned to the friendly confines only to drop two more matches, both in league action, to Stevens and Nazareth … UC recorded one point against Houghton on Aug. 31 and one point versus Nazareth on Sept. 8 both at the hands of freshman Erin Burchill (Franklin Lakes, NJ/Indian Hills) … Burchill won her first collegiate singles match against Houghton before teaming up with senior Rose Zaloom (Utica, NY/T.R. Proctor) against Naz for her first victory in doubles competition.

Hawk Report

Hartwick College is currently 3-5 overall this season while holding a 1-4 mark in the Empire 8 … HC has wins against The Sage Colleges, Alfred University and Houghton College … The Hawks lost three close matches, two in conference, to Stevens (3-6), Fisher (4-5) and non-league foe Union (3-6) … Hartwick most recently lost, 8-1, to Elmira Sunday, on the road.

Scouting the Continentals

Hamilton has five matches currently scheduled in the Fall beginning on Saturday, Sept. 24th against Union College in Schenectady, NY … The Continentals will face UC on Sept. 25th followed by a road match versus SUNY Cortland and then wrap up regular season play at home against SUNY Plattsburgh … The squad will then travel to Ithaca College on Oct. 11th – Oct. 13th for the New York Division III Championships to conclude the Fall season.

Back on the Courts

Following this week's matches, Utica will return home for back-to-back home contests beginning Wednesday, Oct. 2nd when it welcomes Oswego State to the UC Tennis Courts …Game time is set for 3 p.m.