SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Cornell women's tennis team dropped its spring dual-match opener with a 7-0 loss to Syracuse on Saturday morning at Drumlins Country Club. The Big Red opened the spring slate at 0-1, while the Orange improved to 1-0.

Syracuse set the tone early by sweeping the doubles point. The Orange claimed victories at all three positions, beginning with a 6-1 decision at No. 1 doubles and followed by wins at the second and third spots to secure the opening point.

In singles play, Cornell battled in several tightly contested matches, including a pair of three-setters at the top of the lineup. At No. 1, Sage Loudon pushed Serafima Shastova to a super tiebreaker before falling 7-5, 2-6, 10-7. At No. 2, Victoria Zhao forced a second-set tiebreak and then an extended match tiebreak, but came up short against Anastasia Sysoeva.

Syracuse clinched the match with straight-set wins at the lower half of the lineup before closing out the remaining courts. Dylan Gelber fell at No. 3, Andrea Martinez De Los Rios dropped a competitive match at No. 4, Emma Baker battled through a three-setter at No. 5 and Martina Marica was defeated at No. 6.

The Big Red will be back in action at Rutgers on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 5 p.m. The Scarlet Knights lead the all-time series 12-8, including a narrow 4-3 victory in Ithaca during the 2023-24 campaign.