MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's women's tennis team returned to their home courts to open their spring season on Sunday morning against Augustana College. The Rams earned an exciting hard-fought 4-3 win, and defeated the Vikings for the first time since 2011. 

Cornell not only battled on the court, but also battled cancer in their annual cancer awareness match. A tradition that started in 2024, the Cornell tennis programs dedicate a match each season to people all over the world who are fighting cancer, and honor those family members and friends close to the programs who are fighting. 

The No. 1 doubles pair of Michaela Clark and Mac Graves kicked the dual off with a 6-3 triumph. Augustana won the doubles point with a pair of 6-4 victories at No. 2 and No. 3. 

Cornell battled tough in singles, winning four matches overall to clinch the team win. Clark and Jenna Benkufsky earned straight set wins at No. 1 and No. 5 respectively. 

Mac Graves at No. 2 fought through a third set tiebreak win 3-6, 6-1, 10-6. At No. 4, Audrey Small provided the clinching match with the dual tied 3-3. Small posted a 7-6, 4-6, 10-4 decision to close out the day for the Rams. 
 
Coming up – The Rams travel to Orlando, Fla., for their annual spring break trip. The first contested match is against Alma College on Friday March 6th.