UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's tennis team is set to begin a week with two matches. In the first match the team will host Russell Sage College on Wednesday, September 13 at 5 p.m. in a non-conference match. Utica will then travel to face Alfred University on Saturday, September 16 at 1 p.m.
 
Last Time Out: The team fell 6-3 to Plattsburgh State on Saturday, September 9 to begin its season. The Pioneers won one doubles match and two singles matches while losing multiple matches by just a few points. The team was in a close battle yet ultimately fell to Plattsburgh 6-3.
 
Follow Along: Alfred will provide live video for Saturday's match here.
 
A New Pair: The new duo of Paetra Heeren (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) and Isabella Bonapace (Leonia, NJ/Leonia) shined winning their doubles match 8-5. Bonapace had a fine Pioneer debut after four seasons at SUNY Cortland where she excelled in doubles play. The pair is seasoned each having at least two full seasons under their belt and looks to become a new formidable duo for the Pioneers going forward. 
 
Another Year, Same Story: Ellen Lyga (New Hartford, NY/Notre Dame) continued her dominance for the program as she took care of business winning her singles match 6-3 and 6-1 topping the Plattsburgh ace. Lyga begins the new campaign 1-0 in singles after sporting a terrific 7-3 singles record last year while ending the 2022 season on a five-match winning streak including three-straight conference wins.
 
Scouting Sage: The Gators are 1-2 to begin the fall and the team suffered a tough 5-4 loss to Bard College on Saturday, September 9. Claire Connolly has been lights out sporting a 3-0 record in singles play. The doubles pair of Gwen Eichen and Connolly have shined with a perfect 3-0 record in doubles and have been a force for Sage. Emma Nuzzi boasts a 2-1 record in singles thus far and will be another tough opponent for the Pioneers.
 
Alfred Outlook: The Saxons have continued their dominance starting the new season 4-0 after going 10-5 and making an Empire 8 Semi Finals appearance last year. In its most recent match the team topped Mount Aloysius College 9-0 on Sunday, September 10. Abigail Call and Elizabeth Madsen lead the charge in singles each sporting a perfect 4-0 record. In doubles, Macy Youngberg and Alina Zabihalio hold a perfect 4-0 and headline the team's doubles attack. 
 
Up Next: Utica will return home to host Oswego State on Wednesday, September 20 at 3:30 p.m.