HOUGHTON, NY - The Alfred University women's tennis team have punched their ticket to the Empire 8 Finals following a 5-4 comeback win over #3 Nazareth University on Friday. 

"WHAT A GREAT DAY TO BE A SAXON," Head Coach Jordan Crouch said. "I'm not going to lie, it was a little nerve-racking, but I am so proud of our team. We came back from being down 2-1 after doubles and then we were down in a bunch of our singles matches. Our team never gave up and cheered each other on every single step of the way. I can't wait to get back after it tomorrow against a hot Fisher team. See you all there at 1 pm and LETS GO SAXONS!"

The combined efforts of Abigail Call (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) and Elizabeth Madsen (Portland, OR/Grant) resulted in a 8-2 from No. 2 doubles. The Golden Flyers won from No. 1 and No. 3 to put the the Saxons in a position to compete from behind. Allison Windisch (Pittsford, NY/Sutherland) was the first to record a point for AU from No. 6 singles, winning 6-0, 6-1. Alina Zabihailo (Kyiv, Ukraine/Educational Complex #143) equalized the score once again for Alfred University following a 6-2, 6-3 victory from No. 1 singles. 

The Saxons trailed 4-3, but Call won both the first and third sets for the Saxons from No. 5 to knot the match, 4-4. Madsen remained impressive in the driver's seat for AU, as she came back and won the second and third sets to clinch the Saxons' spot in the Empire 8 Finals.

Alfred University will next square off against #4 St. John Fisher University in the Empire 8 Finals on Saturday at 1:00 PM.