ITHACA, N.Y. – The women's tennis got its dual season off to an exciting start Friday with freshman Marika Cusick locking up a 4-3 victory over Buffalo with a victory at No. 2 singles.
 
After the Big Red was forced to retire from the No. 1 doubles match with an injury, Cusick teamed up with classmate Alexandra D'Ascenzo to win the No. 2 tilt, 6-2. Sophomores Christy Kung and Dena Tanenbaum then won the No. 3 match by an identical score to give the Big Red a 1-0 lead.
 
That point turned out to be pivotal, with the teams splitting the six singles matches. Buffalo (1-1) tied the score with a victory at No. 4, then D'Ascenzo put Cornell back in front with a 6-4, 6-0 victory at No. 3. After the Bulls pulled even again, Tanenbaum gave the home side a 3-2 lead with a 6-3, 6-4 win from the No. 1 spot. That set the stage for Cusick, who topped Miranda Podlas, 7-5, 6-3.
 
The Big Red is back in action at noon Sunday against Maryland-Baltimore County at Reis Tennis Center.
 
CORNELL 4, BUFFALO 3
Friday's results; at Reis Tennis Center; Ithaca, N.Y.
Doubles
1. Tanvi Shah/Miranda Podlas (B) def. Lauren Frazier/Ryann Young, 2-1 (retired, injury)
2. Marika Cusick/Alexandra D'Ascenzo (C) def. Laura Holterbosch/Marta Stoyanova, 6-2
3. Christy Kung/Dena Tanenbaum (C) def. Anamaria Candanoza/Margarita Kotok, 6-2
Singles
1. Tanenbaum (C) def. Shah, 6-3, 6-4
2. Cusick (C) def. Podlas, 7-5, 6-3
3. D'Ascenzo (C) def. Candanoza, 6-4, 6-0
4. Kotok (B) def. Frazier, 6-3, 6-2
5. Laura Fernandez (B) def. Kung, 7-5, 6-7(2), (10-7)
6. Holterbosch (B) def. Kristin Quill, 6-2, 3-6, (10-5)
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3), Singles (4,3,6,1,2,5).
Records: Cornell 1-0, Buffalo 1-1.