Box Score (PDF)
 
ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College women's tennis team opened its spring dual-match schedule on Sunday morning when it played host to University of Rochester inside the Athletics & Events Center's Glazer Arena. Unfortunately, it was a challenging start for the shorthanded Bombers, who fell to the Yellowjackets in an 8-1 final.
 
Entering the spring season with a limited roster size that left little room for potential snares, Ithaca felt the full brunt of those limitations on Sunday. With just five players available to dress against University of Rochester, IC began the day already in a 2-0 hole, having to concede forfeits at both sixth-singles and third-doubles. However, despite facing that daunting uphill battle, Ithaca showed some amazing fight in the doubles session. Both of Ithaca's groupings hung tough against the seasoned Rochester tandems, but ultimately it was not enough. With 8-5 and 8-4 victories at second-doubles and first-doubles, respectively, the Yellowjackets emerged from the first session needing just one more victory to clinch the match. The visitors got the victory right at the conclusion of the doubles session, as senior Jane Alkhazov dropped a 6-0, 6-2 decision to Bianca Dyer in the fifth-singles match.
 
Matters turned worse for Ithaca moments after the conclusion of doubles, as senior Kathryn Shaffer suffered a substantial ankle sprain in the waning moments of her first-doubles match. The injury did not allow her to continue, ultimately forcing the Bombers to concede a third matchup of the day at third-singles.
 
The lone bright spot on the day for Ithaca occurred in the second-singles matchup. Senior Caroline Dunn turned in a strong effort to defeat Rochester's Abbey Reinhart in straight sets. She began the matchup with a  6-4 win in the opening set. The second set was a grind that would ultimately go to a tiebreaker. Dunn emerged victorious in the protracted battle in a 12-10 win in the tiebreak.
 
Ithaca returns to action next Sunday, March 3, when the team opens Liberty League play against St. Lawrence. Start time is set for 10:00 a.m.