Springfield nets a 5-4 win over Salve Regina

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Salve Regina University women's tennis team took two of three doubles matches but could only muster wins in two of six singles matches as Springfield College rallied for a 5-4 decision in non-league action today.

Junior Valerie Leso [West Warwick, R.I.] and sophomore Nichol Stevens [Chester, Conn.] won convincingly at No. 2 doubles to give Salve Regina a 1-0 lead. Juniors Amy Shaw [Walpole, Mass.] and Kyla Walgren [West Hartford, Conn.] became more aggressive and rallied for a 9-7 decision at No. 2 doubles to knot the score at 1-1.

Junior Elise Jones [Pittsfield, Mass.] and freshman Leeanne Soprano [Cranston, R.I.] made some nice net rushes to pull out an 8-5 win at No. 3 doubles to carry a 2-1 lead into singles play.

"Our singles players got behind early with the exception of Nichol (at No. 2)," said Seahawk head coach Ed Habershaw. "Erin rallied behind her booming serve and suddenly consistent groundstrokes to take a close first set (at No. 1). Both Leeanne and Elise held second-set leads in their respective singles matches, but credit their opponents for taking care of business in straight sets."

Stevens won her match in straight sets and now shares the team lead in singles wins (nine) with Erin Phillips [Morristown, N.J.], who was the last player off the court after her 7-5,7-5 victory at No. 1 singles.

Salve Regina (6-10) enjoys Easter Break next weekend before returning for its final match at Babson (Fri., April 9 @ 3:30 p.m.). The Seahawks host their seventh annual Megs™ Doubles clinic in honor of the late Meghan E. Strathman '03 the following day (Sat., April 10 @ noon) on the Leroy Avenue courts. Salve Regina then finishes its 2009-10 campaign with its eighth annual Ladies' Choice Doubles event on Sunday, April 11 at noon.