LEWISBURG, Pa. – No. 9 Holy Cross rallied from an early deficit to defeat No. 8 Lafayette, 4-3, in the first round of the 2026 Patriot League Women’s Tennis Championship on Thursday afternoon.

Holy Cross claimed the doubles point to take a 1-0 lead after wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. The Crusaders’ tandem of Ashley Zilora and Alison Lynn earned a 6-3 victory at No. 2, before Maddie Hamm and Cadie Sauter secured the point with a 6-4 win at No. 3.

Lafayette responded in singles play, winning three of the first four matches to take a 3-2 advantage. Alyssa Perdomo put the Leopards on the board with a dominant 6-1, 6-0 victory at No. 2 singles, followed by Marie Sofia Romaniello’s 7-5, 6-4 win at No. 6. Sophia Pacheco added another point for Lafayette with a 6-4, 6-2 decision at No. 3.

Holy Cross stayed within striking distance thanks to a key straight-sets win at No. 4 singles, where Maddie Hamm defeated Sophia Bald, 7-6(0), 6-1, to keep the Crusaders within one point.

Holy Cross answered to close out the match, winning three-set battles at the top of the lineup and at No. 5 singles to secure the comeback victory. Phoebe Devine evened the score with a 6-7(0), 6-4, 6-2 win at No. 1 singles, while Ashley Zilora clinched the match at No. 5 with a 6-4, 6-7(0), 6-2 victory.

With the win, Holy Cross advances to face top-seeded Boston University in Friday’s quarterfinal round.

For more information, visit the 2026 Patriot League Women’s Tennis Championship Page by CLICKING HERE.
 
HOLY CROSS 4, LAFAYETTE 3
DOUBLES (in order of finish): 2, 1, 3
1.Hanna Ganchi/Alyssa Perdomo (LAF) def. Phoebe Devine/Margaret Winiecki (HC) 6-4
2. Ashley Zilora/Alison Lynn (HC) def. Sophia Pacheco/Marie Sofia Romaniello (LAF) 6-3
3. Maddie Hamm/Cadie Sauter (HC) def. Sophia Bald/Alexandra Waldman (LAF) 6-4
 
SINGLES (in order of finish): 2, 6, 3, 4, 1, 5
1.Phoebe Devine (HC) def. Hanna Ganchi (LAF) 6-7(0), 6-4, 6-2
2. Alyssa Perdomo (LAF) def. Hannah Flynn (HC) 6-1, 6-0
3. Sophia Pacheco (LAF) def. Margaret Winecki (HC) 6-4, 6-2
4. Maddie Hamm (HC) def. Sophia Bald (LAF) 7-6(0), 6-1
5. Ashley Zilora (HC) def. Alexandra Waldman (LAF) 6-4, 6-7(0), 6-2
6. Marie Sofia Romaniello (LAF) def. Mia Romo (HC) 7-5, 6-4
 
 
2026 Patriot League Women’s Tennis Championship Schedules
Thursday, April 16 – First Round 
M1: No. 8 Lafayette 3, vs. No. 9 Holy Cross 4

Friday, April 17 – Quarterfinals 
M2: No. 1 Boston University vs. No. 9 Holy Cross | 9 a.m. 
M3: No. 4 Lehigh vs. No. 5 Loyola Maryland | 10:45 a.m. 
M4: No. 3 Army West Point vs. No. 6 Bucknell | 1:15 p.m. 
M5: No. 2 Navy vs. No. 7 Colgate | 3:45 p.m. 

Saturday, April 18 – Semifinals 
M6: Winner of Match 2 vs. Winner of Match 3 | 10 a.m. 
M7: Winner of Match 4 vs. Winner of Match 5 | 2 p.m.

Sunday, April 19 – Championship Match
M8: Winner of Match 6 vs. Winner of Match 7 | Noon


ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.