LEWISBURG, Pa. — Senior
Ashley Zilora posted the match clinching point at No. 5 singles as the Holy Cross women's tennis team upset No. 8 seeded Lafayette, 4-3 during the First Round of the 2026 Patriot League Championship Tournament hosted by Bucknell University Thursday afternoon.
The win was the first for the Crusaders in the Patriot League Championship since 2016 when they defeated Lafayette 4-2 in Annapolis, Md. Holy Cross (4-15) moves on to face Boston University (8-9, 6-0 PL) in the quarterfinal round on Friday, April 17 at 9 a.m. while the Leopards season ends at 2-12 with the loss.
With Holy Cross trailing 3-1 in the match, senior
Maddie Hamm earned a big win at No. 4 singles. Freshman
Phoebe Devine rallied at No. 1 singles after falling 6-7 in her first set. She responded with 6-4, 6-2 to knot the score. Zilora brought home the victory at No. 5 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 for the victory.
DOUBLES PLAY:
- The Crusaders took a 1-0 lead in the match by capturing the doubles point.
- The No. 2 doubles duo of Zilora and junior Alison Lynn defeated their opponents 6-2.
- Freshman Cadie Sauter and Hamm picked up a close 6-4 decision at No. 3 doubles.
SINGLES PLAY:
- In singles play, the Leopards took a 3-1 lead until the Crusaders tied it up 3-3 following victories at no. 4 singles from Hamm (7-6, 6-1) and Devine (6-7, 6-4, 6-2) at No. 1.
- Zilora completed the signature win for the Crusaders.
POSTMATCH THOUGHTS:
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