NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University women's tennis was dealt a 6-3 setback to visiting Springfield College today in Newport, but the Seahawks scored three more wins against the Pride than they did in a meeting in Springfield last March.
Seahawk senior Shannon O'Brien (Gorham, Maine) studied abroad in Ireland last semester and made a winning return to the courts with a pair of victories. She teamed with junior Elizabeth Liguori (Westerly, R.I.) for an 8-4 score at second doubles. That evened the match score a 1-1 after Pride senior Sam Carney (Franklin, Mass.) and junior Jen Cleary (Nahant, Mass.) won 8-1 at first doubles.
Two more Springfield seniors - Amy Buttarazzi (Scarborough, Maine) and Erin Woodbury (Portland, Maine) - rallied for a 9-7 victory at third doubles.
Salve Regina freshman Kasey Walther (Natick, Mass.) took on Carney at first singles and fell in straight sets. Cleary won the matchup of juniors at second singles over Seahawk co-captain Ana Gwozdz (Taunton, Mass.). Springfield clinched the team decision when Woodbury downed Elizabeth DiFilippo (West Chester, Pa.) at fourth singles.
Senior Karlee Walther (Natick, Mass.) won the final three games of her first set and then made it eight in a row as she built a 5-0 lead in the second before finishing with a 7-5,6-1 win at fifth singles. O'Brien won in straight sets at sixth singles before Springfield senior Siana Green (Pomfret, Conn.) triumphed over Liguori 6-3,6-3 at third singles for the final match point.
"Our lineup competed in each match today," said Seahawk head coach Ed Habershaw. "Seahawks played and cheered with enthusiasm all day, a great atmosphere on Labor Day Weekend. This was a solid test for us as we prepare for our conference schedule which begins next week. (Springfield) Coach Toby Coffin called me just two weeks ago to add this match to our schedule and it was great timing. I was looking for a contest after our 10-day pre-season camp. This gives us great feedback on things we need to work on."
Springfield (1-0) wins for the 10th time in the series history including the last seven meetings in a row. Salve Regina (0-1) returns to the courts next Friday when it travels to Providence to face the Anchorwomen of Rhode Island College. The first Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) matchup will be next Saturday when the Seahawks host the Lions of Eastern Nazarene College.
Tennis Match Results
Springfield vs Salve Regina
09/01/12 at Newport, R.I.
(Leroy Avenue courts)
Springfield 6, Salve Regina 3
Singles competition
1. Sam Carney (SPR) def. Kasey Walther (SRU) 6-1, 6-1
2. Jen Cleary (SPR) def. Ana Gwozdz (SRU) 6-1, 6-2
3. Siana Green (SPR) def. Elizabeth Liguori (SRU) 6-3, 6-3
4. Erin Woodbury (SPR) def. Elizabeth DiFilippo (SRU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Karlee Walther (SRU) def. Sydney Streimer (SPR) 7-5, 6-1
6. Shannon O'Brien (SRU) def. Amy Buttarazzi (SPR) 6-4, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Sam Carney/Jen Cleary (SPR) def. Ana Gwozdz/Kasey Walther (SRU) 8-1
2. Elizabeth Liguori/Shannon O'Brien (SRU) def. Siana Green/Sydney Streimer (SPR) 8-4
3. Amy Buttarazzi/Erin Woodbury (SPR) def. Elizabeth DiFilippo/Meg Olson (SRU) 9-7
Match Notes:
Springfield 1-0
Salve Regina 0-1
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (2,4,1,5,6,3)
Official: Self-officiated T-3:02 A-33
