ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University women's tennis team opens its 2025-26 season at Oswego State on Saturday at 12:00 PM.
Head Coach Jake Fisler enters his second season at the helm of the program.
After going 3-15 overall and 2-6 in Empire 8 play in 2024-25, the Saxons look to improve and set their sights on hopefully winning their third Empire 8 title in program history.
"Last year was sort of a rebuilding and growing year," Coach Fisler said. "We brought in a huge incoming first-year class and have returners with previous championship experience. The sky is the limit and we know where we're headed. We're spending most of our time with just our heads down, focused on the hard work and taking it one day at a time."
The Alfred University women's tennis team returns its All-Empire 8 Third Team honorees in Becca Epping (Mitchell, IN/Bedford North Lawrence) and Alyssa Seegert (Oroville, CA/Las Plumas). The pair won five matches at No. 2 doubles, with four of them in the E8 competition and also led the Saxons in singles victories.
Allison Windisch (Pittsford, NY/Sutherland) was selected as this year's team captain. She has won 13 matches in singles and six in doubles in her career. According to Coach Fisler, Windsich buys into the team's process of improving and getting better.
"Allison was appointed by us based on her embodying the team's values," he said. "She puts in the work whether that's in the weight room, sprints or just getting more workouts on the court. She's a great fit and we're super excited to have her with us."
In addition, Coach Fisler brings in a strong class of seven first-years for the 2025-26 season.
"The girls came in ready to work hard," he said. "Anything is open and nobody's spot is guaranteed. If you're someone who's willing to put in the work, grind into getting better and doing what you need to do, then there's definitely a place for you here. We're excited to see who steps up."
The Alfred University women's tennis team has been doing a lot of goal setting. One of the Saxons' goals is to win another E8 title. The program won its previous two championships in 2004 and 2023.
The Alfred University women's tennis team hosts their first two home matches against Fredonia on Wednesday and Mount Aloysius College on Friday. Both contests are set for 3:00 PM. The Empire 8 play starts against Russell Sage College on Saturday, September 13 at 1:00 PM. The E8 Championship Tournament will run from October 14-18.
With the competition being open and competing against big teams, Coach Fisler and his squad are focused on improving and working hard to return to being a top team in the E8.
"It's anybody's game," he said. "We're excited to see who is going to step up and I hope that's going to be us. There is no timetable to that improvement. So, we're going to keep doing what we're doing and continue to put in the work."
--Swords Forward Saxons--
