ITHACA, N.Y. - Following wins in two doubles matches and victories in the first three completed singles matches, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's tennis team defeated Ithaca College 5-1 in a first round match of the Liberty League Tournament being held at the Reis Tennis Center on the campus of Cornell University.

RPI, ranked No. 34 in Division III, earned its 14th win (14-4) to set the school single season record, breaking the mark by three teams that had 13 wins, including last year's squad (13-8). The Engineers, who are the No. 3 seed in the tournament, advances to play No. 2 Skidmore on Saturday at 11:30am. The Thoroughbreds, who are No. 28 nationally, are 10-7. Ithaca concludes with an 8-10 record.

In Friday's first round, Lorna Flores Gonzalez and Brooke Bauer both earned a pair of wins with Rani Jones also capturing a singles match.

Flores Gonzalez put RPI ahead 3-1 with a 6-0, 6-2 win at No. 3 before Jones won 6-1, 6-2 to make it 4-1 for the Engineers. Bauer's match at No. 5 ended the competition, 6-1, 6-2. Rensselaer was leading in the other three singles matches at the time it was ended.

The Engineers and Thoroughbreds met once during the regular season with Skidmore winning 5-4 on April 8 at Tri-City Fitness in Latham. The winner of Saturday's match advances to Sunday's final against either No. 1 seed Vassar College or No. 5 St. Lawrence University at 9am.

RENSSELAER 5, ITHACA 1
Liberty League Tournament First Round
Reis Tennis Center at Cornell University
April 28, 2023

DOUBLES
1. Ridenour & L. Flores Gonzalez (RPI) def. Andrews & Davis: 8-1
2. Crain & Herz (ITH) def. Mednikova & Jones: 8-7 (8-6)
3. Bauer & Grewal (RPI) def. Kohberger & Chelnick: 8-2

ORDER OF FINISH: 3, 1, 2

COMPLETED SINGLES
3. L. Flores Gonzalez (RPI) def. Davis: 6-0, 6-2
4. Jones (RPI) def. Cheung: 6-1, 6-2
5. Bauer (RPI) def. Chelnick: 6-1, 6-2

ORDER OF FINISH: 3, 4, 5