ITHACA, N.Y. — Alexandra D'Ascenzo won in both singles and doubles, and Priyanka Shah won in three sets at the No. 5 singles position to clinch the women's tennis team's 4-3 victory over previously undefeated Connecticut on Friday at Reis Tennis Center.
 
Connecticut (4-1) won the No. 2 doubles match to kick off play, but Cornell (3-3) won the other two to take the day's first point. Freshman Mariko Iinuma and sophomore Madison Stevens defeated their opponents, 6-2, then juniors Marika Cusick and D'Ascenzo came through with a 6-4 triumph at No. 1. The Big Red's top doubles pair is now 3-0 since it began competing together in dual matches.
 
D'Ascenzo made quick work of her opponent at No. 2 singles to restore the Big Red's lead, then senior Jane Stewart wrapped up her match at No. 4 in straight sets. Three matches went to a third set, with Shah coming out on top to help the Big Red snap a three-match losing skid.
 
Cornell's next match is 10 a.m. Sunday against Albany at Reis Tennis Center. The Great Danes are 2-1 heading into an 11:30 a.m. Saturday match against Connecticut, which is also being staged at Reis. Both matches are free to attend and open to the public.
 
CORNELL 4, CONNECTICUT 3
Singles
1. Srna Stosljevic (UConn) def. #117 Marika Cusick, 6-1, 6-1
2. Alexandra D'Ascenzo (Cor) def. Emma Alderman, 6-4, 6-1
3. Yelyzaveta Pletnyeva (UConn) def. Lizzie Stewart, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6
4. Jane Stewart (Cor) def. Jacquelyn Fitz-Randolph, 6-3, 6-2
5. Priyanka Shah (Cor) def. Zaina Zaki, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1
6. Shea Flanagan (UConn) def. Madison Stevens, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
Doubles
1. Cusick/D'Ascenzo (Cor) def. Fitz-Randolph/Stosljevic, 6-4
2. Alderman/Pletnyeva (UConn) def. Shah/L. Stewart, 6-2
3. Mariko Iinuma/Stevens (Cor) def. Flanagan/Gillian Perrotta, 6-3
Records: Cornell 3-3, Connecticut 4-1
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1), Singles (1,2,4,5,6,3)