UTICA, N.Y. – Russell Sage College advanced to the semifinals of the Empire 8 Conference Championship Tournament for the first time since 2019 by defeating Saint John Fisher 5-2 this afternoon at Utica University. The Gators (8-5), the four seed, will face top-seed Hartwick on Friday at 12:00 PM either at RPI or Latham's Tri-City Fitness.
Freshman Olivia Monaco (Campbell Hall, NY/Washingtonville) sealed the match with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 victory at number four singles. She teamed with fellow rookie Marian Aguirre (Plano, TX/Plano) for an 8-4 win at number two singles to help RSC head into the singles portion of the competition ahead 2-1.
Aguirre, the two-time E8 Player of the Week, won 6-2, 6-1 at number one singles, while junior Tirzah Spivey (Clifton Park, NY/Schenectady), a two-time All-Conference singles selection, was victorious at number two singles 6-0, 6-1. Aguirre, now 24-2 overall this fall, sits 144-16 in singles matches, 96-11 in Conference matches.
"I am extremely proud of the team today," said Head Coach Michael Branche. "All the work they have been putting in this season was on full display today. There were contributions from everyone today and Olivia did a great job of battling through a three set thriller. We are going to enjoy this one and get right back to work to prepare for Friday."
Spivey improved to 13-0 in singles this fall with today's win against SJFU (4-7).
The Gators advance to play top-seeded Hartwick in Friday's Semifinal. Depending on weather, the match will be held either at RPI or Latham's Tri-City Fitness.
Gator Bites: RSC, under the direction of Head Coach Michael Branche, qualified for the E8 Championship Tournament for the third time in program history…The Gators established a program record with its five E8 Conference wins this autumn…RSC got off to a 6-1 start, its best in a season since 2019…The Gators went 9-1 to begin that fall and finished 10-4… The 2017 and 2019 teams both had four Conference victories…This year's roster is made up of six newcomers and seven returnees on this year's roster…Spivey, a two-time All-Empire 8 Conference singles selection, Emma Nuzzi (Glenville, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake), a grad student, and senior Emma Vander Baan (Barre, MA/Quabbin Regional) headlined the returning players…Spivey finished 5-1 at first singles in league play last season… She entered the postseason with a 12-0 singles record…Aguirre was selected the Empire 8 Conference Player of the Week for the periods ending Sunday, September 8 and Sunday, September 15…The rookie started her collegiate career by going 8-0 across singles and doubles, including a 24-3 singles ledger…She headed into the postseason with a 22-2 overall record, 11-0 in number one singles…Aguirre was 132-13 in singles matches, 84-8 in Conference contests during the regular season…Monaco and Aguirre were chosen the Conference's Doubles Team of the Week for the period ending Sunday, September 22…The duo went 2-0 playing number two doubles that week, winning their two matches by a combined score of 16-4…The first-years started their debut doubles campaign 9-0 overall, 8-0 at number two doubles,… Spivey and Nuzzi were chosen the E8 Doubles Team of the Week for the period ending Sunday, September 29…The top doubles pairing defeated Saint John Fisher 8-1 on Saturday, September 28…Spivey was tabbed the E8 Player of the Week for the period ending Sunday, October 6…She went 3-0 in singles that week, including defeating the reigning E8 Player of the Year from Hartwick on October 4.
