Tennis drops tough 4-3 loss to UConn

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's tennis team pushed Connecticut to the brink but it was not enough to pull out a victory as the Bulldogs dropped a tough 4-3 decision on Monday in the second match of their Spring Break trip in Puerto Rico.

After dropping the all three doubles matches, the Bulldogs earned a trio of solid victories in singles competition led by the play of sophomore Claudia Hidalgo (Guayaquil, Ecuador), who took the No. 1 slot with a win over Jennifer Learmonth, 6-3, 6-4.

Sophomore Lucy Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) added a win at No. 2 singles while freshman May Vickers (Montrose, Colo.) picked up a hard-fought win at the fourth spot as the rookie downed Lauren Wilmarth, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.

The Black and Gold finish their Puerto Rico trip on Thursday, March 10 with a match against Valparaiso at 2:00 p.m.

Connecticut 4, Bryant University 3 

Singles competition

1. Claudia Hidalgo (BRYW) def. Jen Learmonth (UCONN) 6-3, 6-4
2. Lucy Bird (BRYW) def. Emily Herb (UCONN) 6-1, 6-4
3. Alexa Gregory (UCONN) def. Stephanie Smyers (BRYW) 6-2, 6-1
4. Jessica Vickers (BRYW) def. Lauren Wilmarth (UCONN) 7-6 (7-5), 6-3
5. Abbie McKeon (UCONN) def. Valeria Couto Cuervo (BRYW) 1-6, 6-4, 6-4
6. Lucy Nutting (UCONN) def. I. Rodriguez-Lockw (BRYW) 6-1, 6-3 

Doubles competition

1. Jen Learmonth/Emily Herb (UCONN) def. Claudia Hidalgo/Lucy Bird (BRYW) 8-3
2. Alexa Gregory/Abbie McKeon (UCONN) def. I. Rodriguez-Lockw/Jessica Vickers (BRYW) 8-0
3. Gargiulo/Maritz (UCONN) def. Valeria Couto Cuervo/Stephanie Smyers (BRYW)