Seawolves edge out Bulldogs, 4-3, in Providence

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After winning the doubles point, the Bryant University women's tennis team was edged out, 4-3, by Stony Brook over the weekend.

The Bryant pair of juniors Marion Bouillin (San Diego, Calif.) and Ryan Brown (Austin, Texas) took down Anne-Kathrin Hierl and Nadia Smergut, 6-4, in the No. 1 doubles spot. Sophomores Linnea Sjoberg (Stockholm, Sweden) and Stefanie Arroyo (Gurabo, Puerto Rico) followed suit, earning the Bulldogs the doubles point, after defeating Devanshi Bhimjiyani and Louise Badoche, 6-4.

"Doubles play was key to the match and the girls really stepped it up," said head coach Barbara Cilli. I was very happy with the way we performed".

The Bulldogs (1-3) found their two singles points against the Seawolves (3-2) in the No. 4 and No. 5 singles slots. Junior Briana Leonard (Westford, Mass.) found the first victory in three games, 0-6, 6-2, 6-4, against Yana Nikolaeva. Sophomore Ashanti Campfield (Stratford, Conn.) found Bryant's last point, as she defeated Hierl, 6-4, 6-2.  

"In fourth spot, despite first set score, Leonard was in the match," said Cilli. She dropped four deuce games which hurt, but in second set, Leonard's attack plan finally started to stick and that's what made the difference. She used the momentum of second set to carry her into the third, jumping to a 4-1 lead".

"At five, Campfield closed out a tight first set, but played a cleaner second set to aid her win," said Cilli. Overall, a disappointing loss, but the best finish ever against Stony Brook.  We know what we need to focus on next week when we hit the courts".

The Bulldogs look next to a three-game series in Orlando, Fla., when they take on Albany, Minnesota State at Moorhead and Bucknell from March 14-17.