ROCHESTER, NY – The No. 5 Alfred University women's tennis team defeated No. 4 St. John Fisher University, 4-2, in the first round of the Empire 8 Championship Tournament on Tuesday.

"This was definitely a great team effort," Head Coach Jake Fisler said. "I'm so proud of how they supported one another throughout the entirety of the match. It was really nice to get some revenge, having lost to St. John Fisher in the regular season. I think the team was really inspired by their seniors and making sure that we prolonged their season. We're looking to take the same energy into our matchup against Hartwick and are excited for the rest of the season."

The Saxons (11-4, 5-3 Empire 8) built early momentum by notching the doubles point. Alina Zabihailo (Kyiv, Ukraine/Education Complex #143) and Elizabeth Madsen (Portland, OR/Grant) registered the first victory at No. 1 by a score of 6-2, while Alexis Gits (Irondequoit, NY/Irondequoit) and Allison Windisch (Pittsford, NY/Sutherland) closed out doubles play with a 6-4 win at No. 3.

In singles play, the Cardinals (5-4, 5-3 Empire 8) claimed the first match at No. 2, but Gits answered for AU with a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 6. Becca Epping (Mitchell, IN/Bedford North Lawrence) then followed with a 6-1, 6-4 victory at No. 4, extending the Saxons' advantage. With three singles still in progress, Windisch secured AU's place in the semifinals with a clutch win at No. 5, 6-4, 7-5. In addition, the junior registered her 20th win of the season. 

The Saxons will head to Oneonta to face the host in No. 1 Hartwick College in the E8 semifinals on Friday at 12:00 PM.