HEMPSTEAD, NY — The Iona University women's tennis team made its return to competition for the first time since 2003 this weekend, opening the 2026-27 season at the Hofstra Invitational.

Junior Lara Lanno led the Gaels with three singles victories to advance to the main draw semifinals, while junior Garance Laforet and freshman Alexis Gard each earned two wins in the consolation bracket.

The tournament concluded Saturday evening after Sunday's remaining matches were canceled due to inclement weather, leaving champions undecided.

FRIDAY

Iona opened the invitational with two doubles matches in the main draw. Laforet and Gard fell to New Haven's Micaela Rosignuolo and Pierina Lescher, 6-1, while Lanno and freshman Isabella Djokic dropped a 6-4 decision to Siena's Zaara Omar and Ana Savkovic.

In singles action, Lanno earned the Gaels' first victory of the tournament with a 6-0, 6-0 sweep of New Haven's Victoria Chioreanu in the opening round of the main draw. Laforet battled New Haven's Ines Homberg before falling 6-1, 7-6 (1), while Gard dropped a 6-4, 6-2 decision to New Haven's Leni Bischof.

SATURDAY

Lanno continued her run through the main draw with a pair of straight-set victories. She opened the day with a 6-3, 6-4 win over New Haven's Ines Homberg in the round of 16 before defeating Siena's Ana Savkovic, 6-2, 6-2, in the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals. Laforet and Gard also found success in the consolation bracket, each recording two victories to advance to the semifinals.

Laforet opened consolation play with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over New Haven's Victoria Chioreanu before posting an identical 6-2, 6-2 result against Petra Horvath in the quarterfinals.
Gard earned her first collegiate victory with a 6-3, 6-4 win over New Haven's Fredericka Franco in the consolation round of 16. She followed with a 6-2, 6-2 triumph over Victoria Atkinson in the quarterfinals.
The two Gaels were scheduled to face one another in the consolation semifinals before the remainder of the tournament was canceled due to rain on Sunday.

UP NEXT

Iona is slated to return to action on Saturday, September 26 with a dual match against STAC beginning at 11 a.m. from Meyer Athletic Center.