NORTHAMPTON, Mass. - Salve Regina University women's tennis concluded its 2012-13 intercollegiate schedule with a 6-3 win against Smith College. The doubles matches were played indoors in the Pioneers' Ainsworth Gymnasium before the teams went outside to dry the courts and compete in singles.
Seahawk senior tri-captain Shannon O'Brien (Gorham, Maine) won the final two matches of her intercollegiate career. She paired with freshman Isabelle Weatherby (Newport, R.I.) for an 8-0 triumph at third doubles.
"Both worked on getting to the net successfully," said Salve Regina head coach Ed Habershaw.
O'Brien got on a roll in singles and finished with a 6-1, 6-2 score at fourth singles. "Shannon's trademark shot down the line proved very effective, either resulting in clean winners or weak returns from her opponent's backhand," added Habershaw.
Sophomores Elizabeth DiFilippo (West Chester, Pa.) and Meg Olson (Colchester, Vt.) also enjoyed a 2-0 day. Together they won four of the final five games at second doubles to finish with a 9-7 victory. DiFilippo then had a 6-2, 6-2 win at third singles while Olson finished the last match of the day with a straight-set win at fifth singles. She fought hard in a first set tiebreak.
"Meg crushed her second serve on match point; that's a sign of confidence."
Junior Elizabeth Liguori (Westerly, R.I.) had previously clinched the team match point while taking her match at second singles in three sets. She had battled for a 6-2 score in the first set before Kyle Gouhoe-Hanas quickly turned it into a three-set affair with a 6-1 score in the second set.
"Liz won the first two games of the final set, holding serve and then breaking right away while dropping just four points. Then her opponent broke back at love to make it back on serve. Liz continued to exercise patience, while jumping on any short reply to hit an angled winner. The final game featured six deuce points along with six match-point opportunities before Liz was able to end it with a service winner."
The Seahawks (7-9) have won three of five dual matches this spring while also competing in two different tournaments. Salve Regina women's tennis comes together next Saturday for its annual Ladies' Choice Doubles event, an in-house friendly competition with the players choosing family members, friends, and others as doubles partners on the Leroy Avenue courts.
Tennis Match Results
Salve Regina vs Smith
04/20/13 at Northampton, Mass.
(Ainsworth Gymnasium)
Salve Regina 6, Smith 3
Singles competition
1. Jordan Dubin (SMITH) def. Kasey Walther (SRU) 7-5, 6-1
2. Elizabeth Liguori (SRU) def. Kyle Gouchoe-Hanas (SMITH) 6-2, 1-6, 6-1
3. Elizabeth DiFilippo (SRU) def. Tessy Lopez (SMITH) 6-2, 6-2
4. Shannon O'Brien (SRU) def. Andrea Tanco (SMITH) 6-1, 6-2
5. Meg Olson (SRU) def. Carly Melillo (SMITH) 7-6 (7-4), 6-3
6. Jinan Martiuk (SMITH) def. Anastasia Lara (SRU) 6-3, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Jordan Dubin/Tessy Lopez (SMITH) def. Elizabeth Liguori/Kasey Walther (SRU) 8-4
2. Elizabeth DiFilippo/Meg Olson (SRU) def. Kyle Gouchoe-Hanas/Andrea Tanco (SMITH) 9-7
3. Shannon O'Brien/Isabelle Weatherby (SRU) def. Kathryn Dernbach/Carly Melillo (SMITH) 8-0
Match Notes:
Salve Regina 7-9
Smith 3-17
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (4,1,3,2,6,5)
Official: self-officiated T-3:40 A-27
