UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's tennis team will host the Alfred University Saxons on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Utica University tennis courts.
 
Last Time Out: Ellen Lyga (New Hartford, NY/Notre Dame) and Paetra Heeren (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) moved to 2-0 in doubles as a pair this season with an 8-2 win in first doubles. After Medaille took second doubles 8-7, Jackie Roberts (Herkimer, NY/Notre Dame) and Emily DePasquale (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) responded with an 8-5 victory in third doubles. Lyga dominated in first singles 6-1, 6-0 while teammate Selma Dizdarevic (Utica, NY/Proctor ) put Utica up 4-1 with a 6-0, 6-2 win in second singles. Medaille claimed singles three through five, setting up a decisive sixth singles that went down to the wire. With the team's first win of the year on the line, DePasquale won in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5 for the Pioneers to come home with the win. 
 
Stellar Play: Emily DePasquale (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) and Selma Dizdarevic (Utica, NY/Proctor ) lead the way for Utica with a 2-0 and 1-1 record so far in singles. DePasquale won her opening match against Russell Sage College 7-5, 3-6, 6-4. She continued her undefeated season by sweeping her sets against Medaille University 6-4, 7-5. Dizdarevic played terrific against Medaille and won her sets in quick fashion of 6-0 and 6-2. The pair of teammates have played well this season and look to continue their winning ways against the Saxons.
 
Success as a Team: Ellen Lyga (New Hartford, NY/Notre Dame) and Paetra Heeren (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) have great chemistry and are 2-0 in doubles play as they won their doubles match 8-2 in their last outing against Medaille. Continuing their winning ways in doubles, Jackie Roberts (Herkimer, NY/Notre Dame) and Emily DePasquale (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) are also undefeated at 1-0 as they beat Medaille 8-5. The team has had success in doubles as they are 4-2 and sport a .667 win percentage thus far.
 
Scouting Alfred: The Saxons enter Saturday 4-0 on the season and will face Penn State Behrend on Friday before clashing with the Pioneers on Saturday. Alfred is led by Abigail Call who is 5-0 this year including 1-0 in tournament play. Macy Youngberg and Alina Zabihalio lead the team in a 5-0 record in doubles. At the same time, teammates Eve Liu and Anna Gwozdz are 4-1 in doubles.

What's to Come: After clashing with the Saxons, Utica will head to Newburgh, NY, and face Mount St. Mary College on Wednesday at 4 p.m.