Women's Tennis | 4/29/2016 12:18:00 PM

ITHACA, N.Y. — Before Sunday's regular-season home finale against Connecticut College, Marni Blumenthal, the lone senior on the Ithaca College women's tennis team, will be honored for her hard work, dedication, and commitment to the women's tennis program.
 
During her four years playing at IC, Ithaca has advanced into the NCAA Division III tournament three straight years, a streak that will reach four in May as the Bombers make another postseason appearance after securing the school's 11th straight Empire 8 tournament championship.
 
Blumenthal, a two-time All-Empire 8 second team honoree in doubles (in 2012-13 and 2013-14) has enjoyed the chance to represent her school on the Wheeler Tennis Courts, and she has been an instrumental reason behind Ithaca's (14-6, 8-0 Empire 8) successes this year.
 
Blumenthal has posted an 11-3 record in singles play during the 2015-16 season, highlighted by a 9-1 mark at fourth singles, and she has won nine of 15 doubles matches on the year.
 
Ithaca, which fell for just the sixth time in 20 matches during the 2015-16 season during Saturday's non-conference loss at regionally-ranked Hamilton College, hosts Connecticut College on Sunday before making another trip to the NCAA tournament.
 
"I'm excited for Senior Day as it is a culmination of my four years of dedication to this sport," said Blumenthal, who enjoys the individuality of tennis, and the challenge of pushing herself to be the best she can be.
 
"Playing tennis for four years has meant a lot to me and to my college experience. It's definitely going to be a little bittersweet stepping onto the court (for the last time at home). I'm definitely really excited for the future and to take the next step in my life in order to fulfill my goal of becoming a dentist. … I will definitely miss the team atmosphere, making new friends, and the relationships that I have gained with teammates. I will also, of course, miss playing a sport that I love."
 
As the lone senior on a team made up of underclassmen (eight freshmen and five juniors), Blumenthal has helped mentor along some of the young IC talent, a role she has cherished after receiving similar guidance from upperclassmen when she was a freshman and sophomore on South Hill.
 
"I definitely appreciate playing with the talented athletes on the team, which has a lot of greatly-skilled tennis player and great individuals," said Blumenthal, an aging studies major from Gladwyne, Pa.
 
"My teammates have pushed me mentally and physically to be the best that I can be, and I greatly appreciate their positivity and encouragement in and out of tennis. My teammates mean a lot to me and I consider them family. We've had hard times that we have overcome together, and we've had good times, too. … I think college would definitely be a different experience for me if I did not have my teammates."
 
For her IC career, Blumenthal is 30-16 overall in singles action, and 36-28 in doubles matches.
 
Following the Connecticut match, Ithaca will make its 10th all-time appearance in the NCAA tournament against an opponent to be determined.