Phillips garners TCCC honors for second time this fall

NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University senior Erin Phillips (Morristown, N.J.) has been named The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) Women's Tennis Player of the Week.

Phillips turned in a pair of wins at No. 1 singles and also partnered with freshman Ana Gwozdz (Taunton, Mass.) for two victories at No. 1 doubles as the Seahawks earned back-to-back 9-0 victories over TCCC rivals Regis and Endicott. The victory over the Gulls on the regular-season's final day clinched the No. 3 seed in the upcoming TCCC Tournament for the Seahawks.

"Erin finished her regular season on a high note," said Seahawks head coach Ed Habershaw. "She and her doubles partner, Ana Gwozdz, rallied from an 0-4 deficit against Endicott's top pair and helped us to sweep the doubles matches, winning eight of the last nine games for an 8-5 score. In singles, she wanted to be done early so she could travel with her brother, Jimmy, to their brother Kevin's wedding in upstate New York. The first set went well, 6-1 in Erin's favor, but a player she had yet to beat (Endicott's Kate Cioffi) kept her from an early escape. The match was decided on a third-set tiebreak and Erin was joined by her teammates in celebration of a 9-0 team victory. She's playing her best tennis at the right time."

Phillips was also named Player of the Week on Sept. 14 following singles wins over Western New England and Curry and doubles wins (with Gwozdz) over WNEC, Eastern Nazarene, and Curry. That week was highlighted by a first-place finish in the top doubles flight of Salve Regina University's annual Grass Court Doubles tournament at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Several members of the Seahawks will compete at the New England Women's Invitational Tennis Tournament this weekend. Matches will be held at Amherst College, Mount Holyoke, and Smith College.