#4 Bulldogs fall to #5 Pioneers, 4-2, Friday

WOMEN'S TENNIS DROPS NEC QUARTERFINAL MATCH VS. SACRED HEART, 4-2, FRIDAY

Smithfield, R.I. - Despite earning the ever-important doubles point to open the match, the Bryant University women's tennis team fell to Sacred Heart, 4-2, Friday at the Northeast Conference Championships.

Less than two weeks ago, the Black and Gold earned a huge 4-3 win at Sacred Heart to close out their NEC regular season action, but the Pioneers earned their revenge on Friday as they advance to the semifinals.

In doubles play, senior Marcela Brandao (Santo Andre, Brazil) and sophomore Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) earned a huge 8-5 victory over Gabi Kaldan and Nicole Rydzewski in the number one double position. The Bulldogs clinched the point in the number three spot, as junior Stephanie Smyers (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and sophomore Devlin-Ann Ammendola (Massapequa, N.Y.) took down Paige Olsen and Alyssa Migliorini, 8-3.

The Bulldogs would earn just one point in singles play in the form of a Rosie Bird, 6-2, 6-1, victory over Kaldan in the number one spot, but the Pioneers buckled down and picked up four huge singles points to clinch the match.

Bryant closes the year with an 11-9 overall record, 4-1 in Northeast Conference play, having proven that it will be a perennial contender in the NEC for years to come.

For all the latest news on the 2013 NEC Men's and Women's Tennis Championships click here.

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