ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University women's tennis team defeated Houghton University on Friday evening from the Alfred University Tennis Courts, 5-2 in Empire 8 action.
The Saxons (2-3, 2-2 Empire 8) dropped the doubles point with their only win coming from No. 3 in the lineup as
Caitlin Bittel (Wellsville, NY/Wellsville) and
Abby Coombs (Grand Island, NY/Grand Island) won, 6-4.
Going into the singles portion of the match, the Saxons were down, 1-0 and then 2-0 after a defeat at No. 1 singles. That would go down to be the very last team point the Highlanders (0-8, 0-4 Empire 8) would claim.
Becca Epping (Mitchell, IN/Bedford North Lawrence) claimed a 6-4, 6-1 win from No. 2 while
Anastasia Shaw (Orange County, NY/Washingtonville) knotted the match up, 2-2 with a 2-6, 7-6 (7-0), 6-1 win at No. 3 singles.
Bittel took the team lead with a 6-4, 6-1 win at No. 5, making it a 3-2 Saxon advantage.
Camryn Moore (Prattsburgh, NY/Prattsburgh Central) pushed through an in-match injury to claim the match-clinching point with a 6-7 (2-7), 6-2, 7-6 (7-3) win at No. 4 singles, making it 4-2. Almost simultaneously, Coombs claimed the insurance victory at No. 6 with a matching set score of 6-2.
"LETS GO SAXONS! This group was so inspiring today," Head Coach
Jordan Crouch said. "Doubles started a little bit rocky but we found our groove going into singles and fought tooth and nail until the very last ball. Caitlin and Abby were rock stars all day long. Big win in 3rd doubles and two CRUCIAL victories at 5 and 6 singles. Becca responded to a frustrating doubles match with a definitive win to get us moving in the right direction at 2 singles. Anastasia and Camryn were huge today! Their matches were up and down, highs and lows. They rode the waves. I'm so proud of them for bouncing back after dropping each of their first sets. Special shoutout to the fans! The atmosphere at the courts was so special today. Thanks for bringing the energy all day long. I know our players felt the support. I definitely did! Can't wait to take this momentum into Brockport tomorrow!"
The Saxons will next travel to SUNY Brockport for an Empire 8 match on Saturday, September 19 at 1:00pm.
-- Swords Forward Saxons --
