Hawks get strong singles play for 6-3 win over Seahawks

BRISTOL, R.I. - Despite winning two of three doubles matches, two more than it did in its dual match last year with the Hawks, Salve Regina University women's tennis fell to Roger Williams University, 6-3, the same score between the two schools in 2009.

A year ago, after being swept in three doubles matches, the Seahawks managed a split of the six singles matches on their Leroy Avenue home courts in Newport. Roger Williams negated the doubles disadvantage it had with an impressive performance in singles, taking five of the six matches on its home courts this year.

Freshman Ana Gwozdz [Taunton, Mass.] and senior Erin Phillips [Morristown, N.J.] ran their conference unbeaten streak to 4-0 at the top doubles spot with an 8-4 decision over their eventual singles opposition. After Elise Jones [Pittsfield, Mass.] and Jessica Moore [Middletown, R.I.] lost a close 8-6 score at No. 3 doubles, Valerie Leso [West Warwick, R.I.] and Nichol Stevens [Chester, Conn.] put the Seahawks on top, 2-1, with an 8-6 win at No. 2 doubles.

"With wind gusts coming from the southeast, players had to make constant adjustments with their strokes," said Seahawk head coach Ed Habershaw. "I think that favored the Roger Williams players because most of them were regular users of topspin on their groundstrokes. Karlee's (Walther from Natick, Mass.) match at No. 6 singles was so much closer than the score indicates. Even though there were only two games on her side of the scorecards, Karlee battled in every game and made her match the third longest of the day."

Phillips was the only Seahawk to come out of singles with a victory, winning in straight sets over first-year Hawk Samantha Curran [Cumberland, R.I.]. The senior tri-captain had trailed 4-1 in her second set before rallying for a 7-5 triumph.

With Gwozdz and Hawk senior Leah Ribchinsky [Ivoryton, Conn.] locked in a long battle at No. 3 singles, the two eventually settled the score with a third-set super tiebreak (first one to 10 points). Gwozdz had forced the deciding set with a second-set tiebreak victory. Ribchinsky earned her first singles victory over a Salve Regina player in six tries. Five of her six matches with Seahawks have gone three sets.

"In some of our matches we did not have our 'A' game," Habershaw continued. "But we need to be disciplined and trust in our 'B' and sometimes 'C' game to get the job done for us. It took Ana a set and a half to get into a good rhythm serving. I was proud of her ability to hang in there and battle to three sets."

Salve Regina (5-1; 5-1 TCCC) falls into a tie with Roger Williams in The Commonwealth Coast Conference standings. The Seahawks host defending conference champion Colby-Sawyer College on Saturday (1 p.m.) during Salve Regina's Fall Festival Weekend.