HOUGHTON, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher College women's tennis team earned a critical conference victory on Saturday as the Cardinals defeated Houghton College, 7-2, at the Highlanders' Outdoor Courts.  With the win, Fisher improved to 4-3 on the year and 3-1 in the Empire 8 standings while Houghton fell to 2-7 overall and 2-3 in the conference.

After narrowly falling at first doubles, Fisher pulled out a pair of wins in second and third doubles, respectively.  Madison Galvin and Keely Legnard needed an 8-6 win in the tiebreaker to earn the deciding point in the flight, 8-7, while Jacqueline Chouinard and Riley Ellis won in similar fashion at third doubles to give Fisher a 2-1 lead heading into individual play.

Kathryn Strait continued her dominance at first singles with a 7-5, 6-4 win while Legnard earned another point after taking third singles in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.  Galvin won at fourth singles behind a 6-3, 6-1 performance while Chouinard posted a 6-3, 7-5 decision at fifth singles.  Ellis rounded out the scoring for the Cardinals after winning at sixth singles, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3.

Fisher will look to hand Nazareth College its first loss in Empire 8 play at 4 p.m. on Friday when the two tangle at Mendon Racquet and Pool Club.  The Cardinals will be celebrating their senior class prior to the action beginning.