ALFRED, NY – Following their return to the Empire 8 Tournament last season, the Alfred University women's tennis team is eager to compete this fall. The Saxons will feature six returning student-athletes to go with five first-year talents.
 
Alfred University will be led by Head Coach Jordan Crouch, who enters his sixth season with the program.
 
"The biggest thing about last year for our program was getting into the tradition of winning," Crouch said. "We returned to the postseason, and it was about learning to expect more from ourselves. We want to come into this season thinking about taking advantage of situations and getting wins."
 
The Saxons put together a 10-5 overall record last season, which marked the program's best regular season finish dating back to the 2009 season. The successful season for Alfred University included record-breaking performances along with a postseason appearance.
 
Macy Youngberg (Falconer, NY/Falconer Central) is among the returning seniors for AU this fall. Youngberg set the program record with 27 total victories, including 15 singles wins for the Saxons last year. Youngberg was later named to the All-Empire 8 First Team Singles.
 
"Macy is expected to play higher in the lineup with us this season, but we're looking forward for finding ways for her to challenge herself," Crouch said. "She has stepped up to the plate as a leader for us and will be sucessful in that role."
 
Alina Zabihailo (Kyiv, Ukraine/Educational Complex #143) returns for her sophomore season with the Saxons following 26 total victories. Both Zabihailo and Youngberg set the program record with 12 doubles victories last year, with the duo being named to the All-Empire 8 First Team for their efforts. Zabihailo was additionally named as the Empire 8 Co-Rookie of the Year.
 
"When Alina first got here, her goal was to go back home and beat her dad in a tennis match," Crouch said. "She came back this summer and said she accomplished that goal with a smile on her face. She has been getting progressively better with our program and is looking forward to taking on opponents she has for the first time last season."
 
Alexis Giordano (Lewiston, NY/Lewiston-Porter) has been named as a team captain for Alfred University ahead of the fall season. To this point, Giordano has picked up 20 career wins with the Saxons. In 2022, Giordano was named as the program's Empire 8 Sportswoman of the Year.
 
"Alexis did a great job as a silent leader for us last season," Crouch said. "I know I can count on her this season and she does a great job looking after her teammates. She has become a well-respected captain because of her hard work and decication to her teammates and the program."
 
Alfred University will open their season on the road against Oswego State on September 1. The Saxons will host their first home match the following day against Fredonia. On September 11, the women's tennis program will host their annual 'Pink Match' against Penn State Behrend. Empire 8 competition will begin on September 16 when the Saxons host Utica University. The Empire 8 Tournament is scheduled to run from October 13 through October 14.
 
"The Pink Match is something we started last year as a way to build community," Crouch said. "Working with 13thirty Cancer Connect in Rochester and helping families affected by cancer is important. We wanted to utilize this partnership as a way to honor Courtney (Ferrara) Wilhelm '17. While I never had the opportunity to meet her personally, her loved ones and the surrounding alumni have been amazing about reaching out. As long as I'm at Alfred University, this is a partnership that will always be a part of our tradition."

"This summer, our captains and I got together to discuss our visions for the 2023-24 season," Crouch said. "We came up with the concept that 'Iron Sharpens Iron'. We want to make each other better every day in every aspect both academically and athletically. Our goal will be to make someone else better and expecting the same in return. If we can become better students and athletes throughout the year, we're going to have a great time."