Seahawks sweep Scots, 9-0

NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University women's tennis won its second straight The Commonwealth Coast Conference match by defeating visiting Gordon College, 9-0, in Newport.

The Seahawks raced to a 3-0 edge by sweeping the doubles. Junior Valerie Leso [West Warwick, R.I.] and sophomore Nichol Stevens [Chester, Conn.] delivered an 8-1 win at second doubles. Sophomore Gina DeMaio [East Bridgewater, Mass.] and junior Elise Jones [Pittsfield, Mass.] scored an 8-2 decision at third doubles while junior Erin Phillips [Morristown, N.J.] and senior captain Jessica Timpano [Narragansett, R.I.] finished with an 8-4 win at first doubles.

"The Seahawks were serving well today and giving their partners plenty of opportunities at the net," said Salve Regina head coach Ed Habershaw.

Timpano and Stevens finished their singles matches simultaneously in straight sets to give Salve Regina the team decision. Jones followed minutes later for a 6-0 advantage, while the remaining singles matches were closer battles.

Freshman Erin Henriksen [East Hampton, Conn.] worked many long points in both sets for a 6-4, 6-1 win at fifth singles. Leso, who had dropped the first set and fell behind a break in the second set, rallied for a three-set triumph at fourth singles.

Gordon senior captain Kate Kirby [Orono, Maine] erased eight match points against, but Salve Regina's Phillips converted her ninth opportunity while serving at 6-5 in the second set tiebreak to complete the shutout.

Salve Regina (3-4; 3-3 TCCC) travels to Colby-Sawyer College tomorrow to face the Chargers at 1 p.m.; Gordon (4-5; 4-3 TCCC) next plays at Endicott College on Wednesday.