UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's tennis team will kick off their final two home matches this week. The team hosts Houghton University on Friday at 3:30 p.m. followed by Oswego State on Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
Last Time Out: The Pioneers fell in an Empire 8 Conference match 6-3 against St. John Fisher on Sunday. Ellen Lyga (New Hartford, NY/Notre Dame) and Selma Dizdarevic (Utica, NY/Proctor ) won their doubles match 8-4 in a very balanced win that was paired with great attacking and defense. Lyga won her singles match 7-5 and 6-2 while Dizdarevic won 6-3 and 6-4. Both were able to complete straight set sweeps and continue their strong seasons. 
 
Season So Far:  Emily DePasquale (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) continues her strong singles play as she is 2-1 on the season. Ellen Lyga (New Hartford, NY/Notre Dame) and Paetra Heeren (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) have seen success as a doubles pair and are 3–1 as they added a win under their belt against St. John Fisher. Emily DePasquale (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) and Jackie Roberts (Herkimer, NY/Notre Dame) are 1-0 as doubles teammates.
 
Scouting Houghton: The Highlanders are 3-4 overall including 1-1 in Empire 8 play this season. Before squaring off with Utica, Houghton will host Medaille University on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Marilynn Amborski is 4-3 in singles play for the best on the team. Elise Swanson and Chloe Esch have been phenomenal as a pair and are 5-2 on the season, yet lost their last match.
 
Looking at Oswego State: The Lakers are currently 1-6 overall and 1-3 in SUNYAC competition. Oswego will head to Oneonta, NY to face SUNY Oneonta on Saturday before heading to Miga Court to face the Pioneers. Rafaela Dimitrakopoulou leads the Lakers in singles sporting a 1-1 singles record and Angelina Llanos is 1-0 in singles. For doubles, teammates Angelina Llanos and Alyx Sperling are 1-0 which is the best on the team.

Up Next: After this week the Pioneers will hit the road to conclude the regular season at Russell Sage on Saturday at 1 p.m. and Hartwick on Sunday at 1 p.m.