Albany, NY – The Gators of Russell Sage College women's tennis team hosted Bard College on Saturday afternoon in a non-conference match-up. In a very tight match, the Raptors came away with the 5-4 win to move to 1-0. The loss puts RSC at 1-2.
Bard's rookie Hanna Okalava had the three-set tie breaker win at No. 1 singles, besting RSC's junior Tirzay Spivey (Clifton Park, NY/Schenectady), 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 6-2 to win the match.
RSC had wins at No. 3, 4, and 5 singles as junior Emma Nuzzi (Glenville, NY/Burnt Hills Ballston Lake), graduate player Claire Connolly (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls), and junior Gwen Eichen (Moriah, NY/ Moriah Central) all triumphed in singles play. Connolly, a team tri-captain is now 3-0 in singles this fall. Together with Eichen, the duo also recorded an 8-5 win at No. 2 doubles with one another as well, remaining unbeaten at 3-0 as a tandem.
RSC is back in action on September 13 travelling to Utica University for a 5 p.m. non-conference match with the Pioneers.
Tennis Match Results Bard College vs Russell Sage College 9/09/2023 at Albany, NY (Albany Academies)
Bard College 5, Russell Sage College 4
Singles competition
1. Hanna Okalava (BARD-W) def. Tirzay Spivey (RSCWOMEN) 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 6-2
2. Emma Nuzzi (RSCWOMEN) def. Paige Houghton (BARD-W) 6-2, 6-1
3. Gwen Eichen (RSCWOMEN) def. Bella Ries (BARD-W) 6-2, 6-2
4. Claire Connolly (RSCWOMEN) def. Lexi Sanchez (BARD-W) 6-0, 6-0
5. Izzi Popolizio (BARD-W) def. Emma Vander Baan (RSCWOMEN) 6-3, 6-3
6. Josie Smith (BARD-W) def. Amber Elk (RSCWOMEN) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Hanna Okalava/Paige Houghton (BARD-W) def. Tirzay Spivey/Emma Nuzzi (RSCWOMEN) 8-7 (7-4)
2. Gwen Eichen/Claire Connolly (RSCWOMEN) def. Bella Ries/Lexi Sanchez (BARD-W) 8-5
3. Josie Smith/Izzi Popolizio (BARD-W) def. Maria Inserra/Erika Jeune (RSCWOMEN) 8-1
Match Notes: Bard College 1-0 Russell Sage College 1-2
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (4,6,2,5,3,1) T-3:50 A-25
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