SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Freshman Erica Shay (Concord, Mass.) rallied in both of her matches for Salve Regina University women's tennis today, but Springfield College posted wins in all nine matches in a non-league meeting (9-0).
The Seahawks trailed early in all but the second doubles spot. Sophomores Ana Gwozdz (Taunton, Mass.) and Elizabeth Liguori (Westerly, R.I.) stayed a game up on changeovers against the Pride pairing of Sydney Streimer/Vanessa Senecal. The Springfield duo took the advantage in the 13th game and held for an 8-6 win.
"I did not hold serve the entire match," explained co-captain Gwozdz. "Had at least one double-fault in each service game.
Seahawk head coach Ed Habershaw liked the aggressive style of play from each of his doubles pairs. "At the end of last semester, we talked with each player individually and asked that each 'throw caution to the wind' when it comes to worrying about results. The focus is on playing an aggressive brand of doubles, getting to the net, and forcing the action there."
Senior co-captain Nichol Stevens (Chester, Conn.), traditionally a baseliner in her doubles play, employed the "get to the net" style from the start of her match at third doubles with partner Shay.
"The results did not show in their favor immediately (trailed 7-0), but Erica and Nickie were playing better doubles together than in the fall," said Habershaw. "They were competing in every single game, it's just unfortunate that the game point went to the Pride for the first seven."
Shay and Stevens rallied for four straight wins. In the 12th game, the Seahawk pair saved match point on four different occasions, and had game-point opportunties a couple of times.
"We ended the match with an unforced error from the net position," recalled Habershaw. "I would much rather have that finish than an error or opponent winner while playing passively from the baseline."
Shay went on to have the best results for the Seahawks in singles, taking the second set at No. 6 (7-5) after dropping the first without winning a game. In the 10-point tiebreak to decide the third set and match, Shay built a 9-6 lead before Amy Buttarazzi rallied for the final victory.
On the singles court adjacent to Shay, Liguori hung close with Streimer before the Pride sophomore finished with a 6-4,6-3 victory.
Tennis Match Results
Salve Regina vs Springfield
03/30/12 at Springfield, Mass.
(Appleton Courts)
Springfield 9, Salve Regina 0
Singles competition
1. Sam Carney (SPR) def. Nichol Stevens (SRU) 6-1, 6-1
2. Jen Cleary (SPR) def. Elizabeth DiFilippo (SRU) 6-0, 6-1
3. Vanessa Senecal (SPR) def. Ana Gwozdz (SRU) 6-3, 6-2
4. Siana Green (SPR) def. Karlee Walther (SRU) 6-0, 6-0
5. Sydney Streimer (SPR) def. Elizabeth Liguori (SRU) 6-4, 6-3
6. Amy Buttarazzi (SPR) def. Erica Shay (SRU) 6-0, 5-7, 1-0 (11-9)
Doubles competition
1. Jen Cleary/Sam Carney (SPR) def. Elizabeth DiFilippo/Meg Olson (SRU) 8-1
2. Sydney Streimer/Vanessa Senecal (SPR) def. Ana Gwozdz/Elizabeth Liguori (SRU) 8-6
3. Amy Buttarazzi/Siana Green (SPR) def. Erica Shay/Nichol Stevens (SRU) 8-4
Match Notes:
Salve Regina 8-6
Springfield 6-9
Order of finish: Doubles (1); Singles (2,4,1,3,5,6)
Official: self-officiated T-2:45 A-40
