PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher College women's tennis team is set to return a strong group as it looks to build on its success for 2017. During the 2016 campaign, the Cardinals posted the most wins in a season since 2011. Veteran Hall-of-Fame coach Linda Gohagan, enters her 22nd season with the program and is eager to return her squad to an Empire 8 championship berth.

"We are excited and optimistic about this year's upcoming season," said Gohagan. "We have some incoming freshmen who will make an impact to our excellent team. We hope to have a winning dual match record and to make the Empire 8 Conference tournament."

The Cardinals return seniors Amanda Pendergast and Sarah Sorrentino. Pendergast, posted a win in six matches at third doubles and one at second doubles in 2016. Sorrentino added one win at first singles as well as a win in two matches at first doubles.

Additionally, the Cardinals look for continued versatile production from junior Caroline Seaberg who won five matches at sixth singles and two at fifth singles, while adding another eight wins in doubles matches, respectively.

Fisher also will look to returning juniors, Katey Padden, Grace Peter, Meaghan Reilly as well as sophomore, Taylor Slink as all played a significant role in last season's success.

Freshmen Cassidy Bell, Zuzanna Pociecha, Kaili Saffran and Amanda Thongsirimonghoun look to bolster an experienced roster as the team looks to compete for an Empire 8 Championship and beyond.

Fisher opens its season on Friday, September 1st, when it takes on The College at Brockport at the Mendon Racquet and Pool Club. The following day, the team opens up conference play as it heads to Houghton to face the Highlanders. Soon after, the Cardinals continue their road trip against the Soaring Eagles of Elmira College on September 9th.

Over the next three weeks, Fisher will host three matches, beginning with a conference battle against Stevens Institute of Technology on September 10th. After a short break, the Cardinals take on SUNY Cortland on September 22nd, then enter back into Empire 8 play the following day against Hartwick College.

Fisher heads back on the road to face Utica College on September 27th, before returning back home to battle Alfred University three days later on September 30th.

The team then ventures down East Avenue to face Nazareth College in a battle of the beaks on October 3rd, before rounding out its regular season with two home matches. On October 7th, Fisher will face The Sage Colleges in what will mark the two teams' first-ever meeting as conference opponents.  The Cardinals will then finish with a non-conference matchup against Oswego State on October 12th.

The team is hopeful to return to the Empire 8 Championship, which is set to begin October 14th.

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