Women's Tennis Falls to Roger Williams, 6-1

BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University women's tennis team posted a 6-1 win over visiting Bridgewater State University on Friday afternoon at the RWU Tennis Courts.

The Hawks improve to 6-2 on the season while the Bears fall to 4-2. RWU has won each of the last nine meetings of the two teams and is 14-4 versus Bridgewater State since 2005.

In doubles play, the Bears captured two of the three doubles matches to earn the point. Senior Madeline Von Ruden (Ashley Falls, Mass.) and graduate student Mackenzie Silveira (Middletown, R.I.) teamed up for a 6-3 win at number one, while the freshman tandem of Aislyn Kelliher (Plymouth, Mass.) and Morgan Smith (Taunton, Mass.) posted a 7-5 victory at the second flight.

Sophomore Gabrielle Petroniro (Wolcott, Conn.) and senior Gracie McCarthy (Marion, Mass.) picked up the Hawks' lone doubles triumph with a 6-4 decision at the third flight.

The Hawks bounced back in singles competition, sweeping all six flights to earn the 6-1 victory.

RWU freshman Valentina Abarca (Riobamba, Ecuador) evened the match with a 6-1, 6-0 straight set win at the third flight, and senior Gianna Ferraro (Westerly, R.I.) gave the Hawks a 2-1 lead with a 6-0, 6-3 straight set triumph at the top spot. Petroniro extended the RWU lead with a 6-3, 6-4 straight set victory at number six, and sophomore Adriana Palmieri (Southington, Conn.) secured the decisive fourth point for the hosts with a 6-3, 6-4 straight set win at the fifth flight.

The hosts also received singles wins from junior Izzy Pecora (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) and sophomore Ella Mancini (Middlebury, Conn.). Pecora came back from a set down to record a 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 triumph at the second flight, and Mancini earned a 7-6 (7-2), 6-1 straight set decision at number four.

In upcoming action, the Bears entertain Little East Conference (LEC) foe Salem State University on Wednesday afternoon at three o'clock. The Hawks travel to Suffolk University tomorrow afternoon to take on the Rams at 5:30 in a matchup of Conference of New England opponents.