Women's tennis blank Holy Cross, 7-0

BULLDOGS DON'T LOSE A SINGLE MATCH EN ROUTE TO 7-0 VICTORY

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Women's tennis earned their second straight victory Monday afternoon in Smithfield, blanking Holy Cross, 7-0, improving to 2-1 on the season.

The Bulldogs did not lose a single match, winning all nine on the day en route to the 7-0 win. However, many of the lopsided scores do not depict how competitive each match was, with multiple long points and hard-fought games.

Junior Stephanie Smyers (Pittsburgh, Pa.) competed in the number one singles position for the first time this season, defeating Jackie Carroll in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0. In the third singles spot, Lucy Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) bested Abigail Henry, 6-0, 6-2, improving to 3-1 on the year.

In doubles play, the duo of Marcela Brandao (Santo Andre, Brazil) and Devlin-Ann Ammendola (Massapequa, N.Y.) continue to impress, downing the pairing of Abigal Henry and Jessica DeSimone, 8-1. The Bulldog pair has posted a 4-1 overall record this fall, with a 3-0 showing in dual matches.

The most competitive match of the afternoon came in the number six singles position between Bryant freshman Lyan Juarbe and Holy Cross's Katie McKenna. Juarbe's collegiate debut went the distance, with each player breaking the other's serve to win the first and second sets, respectively. However, in the tiebreaker the freshman dominated, winning the point, 6-4, 4-6, (10-4).

"Lyan focused on building the points and making her move at the right time," said Bryant head coach Barbara Cilli. "Not to mention her booming serve kicked into high gear, winning the points she missed in the second set."

The Bulldogs head to Hartford on Friday (3:00 p.m.) for their first dual match away from Smithfield this season, before opening conference play on Saturday when they host Monmouth (10 a.m.).

For all the latest news on Bryant University women's tennis, visit BryantBulldogs.com.