SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's tennis team started its 2021-22 season in fine fashion as four singles student-athletes have reached their respective flights final and four teams have advanced to the semifinals at the Union Invitational. Play concludes on Sunday on the campus of Union College.

The A Flight singles final features junior Alex Mednikova after she defeated Madeline Carswell of Oneonta 6-0, 6-0 in the first round and Ahana Nagarkatti of Holy Cross 6-2, 6-2 in the second. She will face Maddie DeNuccie of Holy Cross in Sunday's championship match. 

Rani Jones, also a junior, advanced to the B Flight final with wins over Dana D'Onofrio of Union 6-1, 6-0 and Sophie Schutte of Oneonta 6-1, 6-2. Jones takes on Union's Sophie Brown.

The C Flight will be won by a member of the Engineers as the final boasts junior Krisia Flores Gonzalez and freshman Brooke Bauer. Bauer won her first round match over Lily Xiong of Union 6-1, 6-2 and then defeated Julia Holtermann of Oneonta 6-0, 6-0. Flores Gonzalez had a 6-1, 6-2 victory over a foe from Oneonta before defeating Gabby Gatto 1-6, 6-4, (10-6) of Union in the semifinals.

Natalie Cipriano and Jolee McCluskey both won one match in the D Flight before they were each defeated in the second round.

Playing in the semifinals of the A Flight doubles are Mednikova & Jones as well as Flores Gonzalez & her playing partner - and sister - Lorna Flores Gonzalez. Mednikova and Jones won 8-1 over a team from Union, while Flores Gonzalez & Flores Gonzalez triumphed 8-6 against a squad from Holy Cross. In order for there to be an all-RPI final, they must beat teams from Holy Cross and Union, respectively.

The B Flight doubles also has two teams from the Engineers on either side of the bracket with Brooke Bauer & Sonya Khudyakov and Cipriano & McCluskey still in play for the title. Bauer & Khudyakov won their first match 8-3 (Union), while Cipriano & McCluskey prevailed 8-2 (Holy Cross). 

Sunday's action begins with the two rounds of doubles, followed by the final round of singles.