The Binghamton University women’s tennis team wrapped up its fall play this past weekend at the ITA Northeast Regional at West Point’s Lichtenberg Tennis Center. The Bearcats sent a pair of freshmen to compete individually in singles play and together in doubles play.
Alexis Tashiro lost her qualifying match in straight sets 3-6, 3-6 to Cornell University freshman Dena Tanenbaum on Friday, eliminating her from singles play for the remainder of the weekend. She closed her fall singles play with a cumulative record of 2-7.
“Tashiro competed very well,” Binghamton head coach Libby McGovern said. “She had a few opportunities she just didn’t take advantage of that we will work on to make her more successful, but it was a good first experience for her at the ITA tournament. Most importantly, she competed at a high level.”
Later that day, Tashiro teamed up with Agatha Ambrozy, falling 5-8 in the main draw round of 64 to the University at Buffalo’s freshman/senior duo of Gopkia Kapoor and Tamara Markovic, leaving Ambrozy winless in fall doubles play.
“We came out a little nervous, not really knowing what to expect,” McGovern said. “But we pulled it together in the end, making it a very competitive match, although it was just too late to get us a win.”
Ambrozy concluded her fall with an overall record of 1-5 after falling short of a win on Saturday in singles play, losing 1-6, 3-6 to Boston College senior Kelly Barry.
The Bearcats are scheduled to start their spring season with an away dual match against Dartmouth College in January. With a very young and inexperienced squad, made up of four freshmen, three sophomores and just one senior, Binghamton will look to make serious improvements in both singles and doubles play over the next few months.
McGovern said she is optimistic, though, and hoping to put together a competitive team in the spring.
“Heading into the offseason we definitely have some things we need to work on, but we hope to bring it all together to compete in the America East conference championship,” she said.
With a schedule consisting of only three true home matches, the Bearcats will have to perform well on the road in order to best their chances at an AE conference championship.
The spring opener against Dartmouth is set for 1 p.m. on Jan. 26 at the Alexis Boss Tennis Center.