Williamson, McGuirk Lead Women's Tennis to 5-4 Win over Roger Williams

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Senior Jenna Williamson (Ludlow, Mass.) posted a straight set decision at the top singles flight to give the Bridgewater State University women's tennis team a 5-4 victory over visiting Roger Williams University on Thursday afternoon at Rosen Memorial Tennis Courts.

The host Bears remain unbeaten on the season as they improve their overall record to 6-0.  The Hawks slip to 6-4 with the setback.  In their last six meeting, the two teams are even at 3-3.

In a tightly contested match, Bridgewater held a 2-1 advantage after doubles play as the top flight tandem of Williamson and classmate Lauren Hopp (Dartmouth, Mass.) earned an 8-6 triumph, while the Bears' second flight pair of senior Jackie McGuirk (Raynham, Mass.) and junior Melissa Flynn (Stoneham, Mass.) also won by a score of 8-6.

In singles play, RWU freshman Harley Kaiserman (Setauket, N.Y.) tied the match with a 6-2, 6-3 decision at the fourth spot, before junior Rachael Eramo (Rowley, Mass.) reclaimed the lead for the Bears with a 6-1, 6-2 victory at number five.

Sophomore Lauren Schmidt (South Windsor, Conn.) evened things up again with a 6-3, 6-0 triumph at third singles for the Hawks.  McGuirk, however, responded with a 6-0, 6-4 win at the second flight to put the Bears back on top, 4-3.

RWU sophomore Adriana Maconochie (Easton, Mass.) tied the match up for the fourth time on the afternoon with a 6-1, 6-4 decision at the sixth flight.

With the match on the line, Williamson battled to a 7-6 win in an opening set that was decided by a 7-4 tie-breaker.   She then posted a 6-2 decision in the second set to clinch the victory for the Bears.

McGuirk remains undefeated in singles play for the Bears as she improves to 6-0.  Williamson is 5-1 in singles play on the year and an impressive 44-5 (.898) in her four-year career.

The match also marked the return of Hawks' first-year head coach Barry Gorman to Bridgewater State.  Gorman skippered the BSU men's and women's tennis teams for the past five seasons.  He guided the women's squad to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2010 and 2012.

Bridgewater is off until next Wednesday afternoon when the Bears entertain Little East Conference foe Rhode Island College at 3:30.  Roger Williams travels to Commonwealth Coast Conference rival Wentworth on Sunday for a noontime match with the Leopards.