ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University women's tennis team opened up its 2019 Empire 8 schedule with an 8-1 loss to Nazareth College on Friday.
 
Lauren Boshart (Oswego, NY/Oswego) was the lone Saxon (0-5, 0-1 Empire 8) winner as she won at No. 2 singles. She defeated Nazareth's Lauren Carr, 6-2, 6-4.
 
Both Tori Pellegrino (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) and Kailey Reyes (Dallas, TX/Trinity) had close singles matches as Pellegrino fell at No. 1 singles, 5-7, 6-7 and Reyes dropped a No. 4 singles match, 6-7, 7-8.
 
"Fantastic match for us today! Despite the score, this is the best we have played all year!" Head Coach Jordan Crouch said. "We talked about being gritty today and trying to grind out every point. We were certainly gritty and forced 3 separate tiebreakers in the matches. A couple points fall our way and this match is so much closer. Can't wait to get back out and work with this group again!"
 
The Saxons will next head to Oneonta, NY to face Hartwick College in Empire 8 action on Wednesday, September 18 at 4p.m.