PRINCETON, N.J. -- The Cornell women's tennis team opened play at the 2026 ECAC Indoor Championship with a 4-2 loss to third-seeded Columbia on Friday afternoon at Princeton's Si Qin Family Indoor Tennis Center. The Big Red slipped to 2-2 on the season, while the Lions improved to 3-1.

Columbia claimed the opening doubles point with wins on two courts. Cornell pushed each pairing, including a 6-4 decision at No. 1 doubles and a tight battle at No. 2, but the Lions secured the early edge after taking courts one and three.

Cornell responded in singles with victories at the middle and lower part of the lineup. Freshman Dylan Gelber earned a straight-set win at No. 4, while sophomore Andrea Martinez De Los Rios followed with a two-set victory at No. 5 to even the match at 2-2.

Columbia regained momentum with wins at No. 3 and No. 6 singles to clinch the team result. Victoria Zhao dropped a hard-fought match at No. 3, and Emma Baker fell in three sets at No. 6. At No. 2, Sage Loudon was edged in a three-set battle, while the top singles match between Michelle Ryndin and No. 106 Malak El Allami was left unfinished after the team outcome had been decided.

Cornell will continue tournament play Saturday, Feb. 7, facing the loser of the match between Penn and Dartmouth at 11 a.m.