Rams edge out Bulldogs, 4-3, Tuesday afternoon in Smithfield

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Despite sweeping the doubles point to start the dual match, the Bryant University women's tennis team was unable to maintain its edge, as Rhode Island defeated the Bulldogs, 4-3, Tuesday afternoon in Smithfield. 

The No. 1 doubles team of seniors Ryan Brown (Austin, Texas) and Marion Bouillin (San Diego, Calif.) held the Rams' duo scoreless, 6-0. Junior Nina Luiggi (Nottingham, England) and freshman Megan Tan (Calgary, Canada) followed suit, defeating URI's No. 2 doubles, 7-5, while junior Stefanie Arroyo (Gurabo, Puerto Rico) and senior Briana Leonard (Westford, Mass.) won the tiebreak at No. 3 doubles.

"Doubles went very well," said head coach Barbara Cilli. "No. 3 doubles came back from a 5-2 deficit to win the set, 7-6, and clinch doubles point."

Brown and Bouillin were both defeated, 6-2, 6-1, by their competitors in No. 1 and 2 singles, respectively. Luiggi continued the weekend's success, moving past Tiara Higuchi, 6-3, 7-5.

"Nina played great offensive tennis today," said Cilli. 

"Stef Arroyo was within a couple of points of bringing her girl to a third set, but dropped second set tiebreaker, 7-5." Rachel Smilansky beat Arroyo in two sets, 6-4, 7-6, in No. 4 singles.

Leonard played Ariel Haber tight in No. 5 singles, but Haber was able to edge the senior out, 7-5, 6-4.

Tan tallied the Bulldogs last point in No. 6 singles, as she took down Emily Zargham in three sets, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6.

"Megan dropped first set but got her rhythm going in the second. She carried her momentum into the third, where she took the set, 10-8, in third-set tiebreaker," said Cilli.

"We were right there all day. We need to do a better job with our ball placement moving forward. That would have made a difference today."

The Black and Gold get their shot next against Holy Cross on Tuesday, October 4, at 3:30 p.m. 

Doubles

Bouillin/Brown def. Holden/Haber, 6-0

Luiggi/Tan def. Codreanu/Higuchi, 7-5

Arroyo/Leonard def. Smilansky/Legler, 7-6 (7-5)

Singles

Mihaela Codreanu def. Ryan Brown, 6-2, 6-1

Taylor Holden def. Marion Bouillin, 6-2, 6-1

Nina Luiggi def. Tiara Higuchi, 6-3, 7-5

Rachel Smilansky def. Stefanie Arroyo, 6-4, 7-6 (5)

Ariel Haber def. Briana Leonard, 7-5, 6-4

Megan Tan def. Emily Zargham, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8)