MILTON, Mass. - The feast or famine trend continued for Salve Regina University women's tennis as the Seahawks defeated Curry College, 9-0, in just over two hours at Milton. Mass.
Salve Regina (4-5; 4-4 TCCC) swept the doubles action as junior Erin Phillips [Morristown, N.J.] and senior captain Jessica Timpano [Narragansett, R.I.] took No. 1 doubles by taking the last six games for an 8-2 final. At No. 2 doubles, junior Val Leso [West Warwick, R.I.] and sophomore Nichol Stevens [Chester, Conn.] also won 8-2 while sophomore Gina DeMaio [East Bridgewater, Mass.] and junior Elise Jones [Pittsfield, Mass.] finished with an 8-1 score at No. 3 doubles.
"We did a great job with our court positioning which enhanced our ability to finish points," said Seahawk head coach Ed Habershaw.
Phillips, Stevens, Timpano maded quick work at Nos. 1, 2, and 3 singles, clinching the team decision very early. Jones followed with a 6-1,6-3 win at No. 6 singles.
Leso totaled 21 winners during her No. 5 singles match, including 11 with her net game (seven overhead winners). But first-year Colonel Jessica Spinale [Saugus, Mass.] went ahead in the second set, 5-4, before Leso held serve at love and just surrendered three points in the final three games.
At No. 5 singles, freshman Erin Henriksen [East Hampton, Conn.] created net opportunities throughout her match and prevailed in a first-set tie break before dominating in the second set.
Salve Regina plays at currently unbeaten Nichols College on Saturday (12 p.m.) after the Bison travel to Colby-Sawyer College on Friday.
