UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's tennis team is set to begin its 2024 campaign this week on the road against SUNY Oswego on Wednesday, September 11 at 4:00pm.The team will then travel to Houghton on Saturday, September 14 at noon, before opening the teams home slate against Alfred University on Sunday, September 14 at 1:00pm.
 
Last Season: The Pioneers finished last season with a 3-7 record. In Empire 8 Conference play, Utica was 2-4. The team lost two matches last season by less than three sets and are hoping to turn the tide this season. 
 
Schedule Breakdown: Utica has five home matches this season, compared to last year's seven. The Pioneers will hit the road six times this season. In conference play, Utica will host Alfred University, Nazareth University, Empire 8 Conference newcomer SUNY Geneseo, and Russell Sage College. Utica will face Houghton University. Hartwick College, St. John Fisher University, and conference newcomer SUNY Brockport on the road in the team's conference slate. 
 
At the Helm: Head Coach John Nigro is heading into his 38th year leading the women's tennis team and is currently the longest tenured coach at Utica.
 
Back to Business: Utica will return four players from last season. Callie Ott (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy), Paetra Heeren (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley), Victoria Elefante (Clinton, NY/Clinton), and Lyndsey Tiedemann (Salt Point, NY/Franklin D Roosevelt) all return for another season with the Pioneers. Last season, Ott, Heeren, Elefante, and Tidemann all recorded a win in singles play last season, with Tiedemann going 5-5. In doubles play, the duo of Tiedemann and Ott went 3-7. 
 
Key Losses: Utica has lost the experienced Selma Dizdarevic (Utica, NY/Proctor) and Ellen Lyga (New Hartford, NY/Notre Dame). Lyga led the Pioneers last season going 5-5 in singles, while Dizdarevic went 5-4. In conference play last season, Lyga went 2-3 and Dizdarevic went 3-2.  
 
Newcomers: The Pioneers welcome Hannah Slater (), Kimora Simmons (), and Zoe Gravina (). Look for these new faces to make an impact this season. 
 
Looking at Oswego: So far this season, Oswego is 5-0. In all five matches combined, Oswego has only dropped four sets. Avery Borman, Emily DeLuca, and Kathryn Salamida are currently undefeated in singles play. In doubles play, the duo of Emily Lyga/Salamida, and DeLuca/Leah Bell are undefeated. 
 
Scouting Houghton: On the season, Houghton currently sits at 0-4. Kelsi Clapper and Victoria Martinez have each recorded a win in singles. In doubles, the duo of Martinez/Zoe Zachery have one win under their belt this season. 
 
Looking at Alfred: Alfred is currently 1-4 on the season, with their win coming against Mount Aloysius College. Claire Lander, Alyssa Seegert and Allison Windisch have each recorded two wins for the Saxons this season. Becca Epping and Averill Hollond have each tallied one singles win. In doubles play, Windisch/Elizabeth Madsen and Lander/Hollond each have two wins. 

Up Next: The Pioneers welcome Nazareth University for a conference matchup. Game time in Utica is set for 3:30pm.