Bulldogs lose close battles, 3-2, at UConn Invitational

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's tennis team came up empty at the UConn Invitational, as they fell, 3-2, to Connecticut and Quinnipiac, before dropping, 5-0, to Buffalo.

The Bulldogs fought hard against all three competitors, losing in close matches, 3-2, against both Connecticut and Quinnipiac. The Bulldogs recorded both points in singles play, as sophomore Nina Luiggi (Nottingham, England) defeated the Huskies' Jacquelyn Fitz-Randolf in the last two games, 2-6, 6-4, 10-6. Classmate Ashanti Campfield (Stratford, Conn.) had an impressive outing, dominating UConn's Summer Walker, 6-0, 6-2, for the Bulldogs' second point of the matchup.

In their second contest of the weekend, the Bryant pair of Luiggi and Campfield defeated Quinnipiac's duo of Sitilia Rencheli and Proyfon Lohaphaison, 6-4, 6-2, earning the Bulldogs one-of-two points on the day.  Junior Marion Bouillin (San Diego, Calif.) grabbed the other Bryant point, moving past the Bobcat's Alex Mircea in a close one, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 11-9.

Buffalo swept Bryant in their last UConn Invitational matchup, but the Bulldogs battled strong, showing they could hang with the Bulls. Campfield clashed with Sanjana Sudhir, forcing her opponent into a third game after winning the second, 6-3. Ultimately, the reigning NEC Rookie of the Year fell, 6-4, 3-6, 10-7. In similar fashion, Bouillin and junior Ryan Brown (Austin, Texas) each competed in three games against their adversaries, as Bouillin was defeated by Mercedes Losada Rubio, 6-4, 4-6, 10-8, while Brown lost to Margarita Kotok, 6-1, 4-6, 12-10.

The Bulldogs will continue their quest for a team win, as they travel to Boston University on Friday, before hosting Brandeis at Rally Point in Greenville, R.I. at 7 p.m.