Women's tennis earns #4 seed for NEC Championships

#4 BRYANT TO TAKE ON #5 SACRED HEART FRIDAY AT NEC CHAMPIONSHIPS

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After closing out its regular season over the weekend, the Bryant University women's tennis team earned the #4 overall seed in the upcoming Northeast Conference Tennis Championships kicking off Thursday in West Windsor, N.J.

The Bulldogs finished 2012-13 with an 11-8 overall mark, 4-1 in NEC play. The Black and Gold began NEC action winning their first three matches, vs. #9 Monmouth, 7-0, in October and vs. #7 Mount St. Mary's, 5-2, and vs. #10 Wagner, 7-0, in March. Bryant ran into the #2 seed Quinnipiac on March 24, falling to the Bobcats, 7-0, before rallying to defeat #5 Sacred Heart, 4-3, on April 6 in Fairfield, Conn.

Bryant will face off against the Pioneers for the second time in less than two weeks on Friday in the NEC Quarterfinals. In the highly contested March on April 6, the Bulldogs just squeaked out a 4-3 victory behind inspired singles play by sophomore Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand), senior Marcela Brandao (Santo Andre, Brazil), junior Stephanie Smyers (Pittsburgh Pa.) and senior Lucy Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand).

Brandao and Lucy Bird both posted very impressive records against NEC opponents this season, at 3-1 and 4-1, respectively. In doubles play, Brandao finished an impressive 4-1 record against conference teams, while both Lucy and Rosie Bird went 3-1 in the NEC.

"It goes without saying that we have been waiting for this weekend for a very long time," said head coach Barbara Cilli. "We are excited to compete and finally be a part of it."

For the full 2013 Northeast Conference Tennis Championship Bracket click HERE.

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