ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College women's tennis program has been the class of the Empire 8 Conference since head coach, Bill Austin, took over control of the program in 2000. Now entering his 17^th season at the helm, Austin will look to guide the Bombers to one final title as a member of the Empire 8 Conference in 2016-17. With several key members returning, IC looks poised for another serious run this coming fall.
 
The women's netters have been on an impressive run of dominance, which stretches back to the early 2000's. IC enters 2016-17 winners of 11 consecutive Empire 8 titles, while the program has secured 12 total under Austin. During this time, IC has been nearly unbeatable during the conference portion of its schedule, dropping only two regular-season E8 matches dating back to 2005-06. The Bombers navigated an utterly dominant fall last season, conceding only one set during the regular season and a single set in the Empire 8 Championship against Stevens Institute of Technology en route to its 11^th straight title.
 
With the core of that team returning this coming fall, Austin is excited about what his team has shown him during a spirited preseason.
 
"We have been focusing very heavily on our footwork, conditioning and making a commitment to playing high-percentage tennis," Austin said. "The team has come back from this summer ready to go. The competition level has been very high in practice so far."
 
While the team has grown accustomed to success during the fall campaign, it certainly is not taking anything for granted. Austin has been adamant in honing the team's singular focus on playing strong tennis each and every match, with the end goal of securing a conference title.
 
"The teams over the years have done an excellent job of working hard and preparing to compete for the conference championships," Austin continued. "It's really special, the run that they have put together, but they also respect it. We know that we are going to get the best possible match from all of our opponents because of that target on our backs. Our preparation this preseason has reflected that need to be sharp right from the beginning this season."
 
Headlining the group of returning players is the reigning Empire 8 Player of the Year in Haley Kusak. The Pittsford, N.Y., product posted a 16-5 record in singles and a 15-6 mark in doubles action last season, all of which coming in the first flight. She posted a truly scintillating fall campaign, going undefeated in both singles and doubles, conceding just nine total games against E8 foes during the year. She has had a strong preseason and figures to maintain her place as Ithaca's top flight player this fall.
 
Joining Kusak among Ithaca's more experienced returners is senior Jodi Grosberg. The Needham, Mass., native marked an 11-5 record in singles en route to earning Empire 8 All-Conference Second Team honors.
 
The Bombers also bring back the sophomore duo of Caroline Dunn and Kathryn Shaffer. Both players saw extensive action during their respective freshman campaigns. Dunn went 12-8 in singles and 14-6 in doubles play, while Shaffer posted an 8-5 record in singles and made 11 appearances in doubles. Dunn was an Empire 8 All-Conference First Team selection in both singles and doubles last season.
 
Senior Maddie Overholt, sophomore Taylor Ginestro, and sophomore Hannah Kasoff will also look to carve out increased roles in the lineup this fall.
 
Austin is also bullish about his incoming freshmen class, which has had a strong preseason. Jane Alkhazov and Brianna Ruback each enjoyed fantastic prep careers and figure to make an immediate impact this fall.
 
The Bombers know that they will need to be on top of their game right off the hop, as they face one of their sternest tests right out of the gate this coming Sunday, September 4, in Stevens Institute of Technology. Although IC has dropped only two regular season matches in conference play over the last 10 seasons, both have come against the Ducks.
 
"You have to play everybody once during the year and it just so happens that was how the schedule shook out this year," Austin said. "We have a nice challenge on our hands and we better be ready right out of the gate."
 
Austin continued.
 
"Stevens plays on Saturday, so they will have a match under their belts," Austin said. "I think there certainly will be some first-match jitters, but it will be something that we work through and I am confident that our team will be able to handle it."