ALFRED, NY – Elizabeth Madsen (Portland, OR/Grant) was named the Empire 8 Women's Tennis Player of the Week on Monday in an official announcement by Associate Commissioner, Joe Venniro.
 
It is the fourth time in the 2023 season that a Saxon has earned the award, making it a program record for most in a single season.
 
Madsen was named the Most Valuable Player during the Empire 8 Championship Tournament as she helped the Saxons win their first title since 2004. She was undefeated in both doubles and singles during the weekend for the #2 seeded Saxons. Madsen began the tournament with the only AU doubles win at No. 2, teaming with Abigail Call (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) for the 8-2 victory over Sarah Stone and Ali Klee of #3 seeded Nazareth University. She then defeated Stone again, this time at No. 4 singles, getting the match-clinching win in three sets, falling in the first, 3-6 before winning, 6-1, 6-3 to advance to the finals. Madsen then picked up another 8-2 win at No. 2 doubles with Call as they defeated Lilly Renzi and Eliana Kelly of #4 seeded St. John Fisher University.
 
She then defeated Abby Garvey at No. 4 singles, 6-3, 6-1 to take the lead, breaking the 3-3 match score, setting up Call to clinch the title at No. 5 singles. Madsen ends the year with a 12-2 singles record, going 6-1 against Empire 8 opponents. Madsen and Call are 11-3 in doubles, going 6-1 against Empire 8 foes. They tie for second place in school history for most doubles wins in a single season and she is tied for fourth in school history for most singles wins in a season. Madsen is #3 in AU history for total wins in a single season with 23, surpassing three AU Hall of Fame members. Madsen was also named a Saxon of the Week on Monday.
 
Madsen was also named a Saxon of the Week along with women's volleyball's Taylor Malone (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads). Malone was named an Empire 8 Women's Volleyball Co-Player of the Week along with teammate Cara Bratthauar (Chambersburg, PA/Chambersburg Area) as the Rookie of the Week.