The Holy Cross women’s tennis team defeated Lafayette 4-3 in the first round of the 2026 Patriot League Championship Tournament on April 16. The match was hosted by Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
This win marks the Crusaders’ first victory in the Patriot League Championship since 2016, when they also beat Lafayette. With this result, Holy Cross advances to face Boston University in the quarterfinals, while Lafayette’s season ends with a record of 2-12.
Holy Cross took an early lead by winning the doubles point. The No. 2 doubles pair of Ashley Zilora and Alison Lynn won their match 6-2, while Cadie Sauter and Maddie Hamm secured a close victory at No. 3 doubles with a score of 6-4.
In singles play, Lafayette gained a lead before Hamm earned an important win at No. 4 singles for Holy Cross. Freshman Phoebe Devine rallied after losing her first set to tie up the match with scores of 6-7, 6-4, and 6-2 at No.1 singles. Senior Ashley Zilora clinched the overall victory for Holy Cross at No.5 singles with scores of 6-4, 6-7, and 6-2.
The Crusaders will continue their run in the tournament against Boston University on Friday morning.
