SAINTS COME UP SHORT AT RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE
Sept. 8, 2009
Providence, RI - Rhode Island College sophomore Gabriela Batek (Greenville, R.I.) and freshman Marissa Langellier (Greenville, R.I.) each won super tiebreakers to lead the Anchorwomen past Emmanuel, 5-4, in collegiate women's tennis action from the RIC Tennis Courts on Tuesday afternoon.
The Saints, who were competing in their opening match of the season, took two of three in doubles action to take the early lead. RIC junior Jaclyn Eastman (Mansfield, Mass.) earned a hard-fought 7-6 (7-3), 6-1 win over senior captain Nory Hayes (Newport, R.I.) at the No. 2 spot, while freshman Doris Belanger (West Warwick, RI) picked up a straight set (7-5, 6-4) victory at No. 6 singles.
Emmanuel countered with straight set wins at the No. 1 and 4 spots by freshman Taylor Dey (Woodbridge, Conn.) and fellow rookie Jenna Reid (Lincoln, R.I.).
Langellier split with junior Alexandra Shakra (Bedford, NH) in the first two sets (6-3, 5-7) and then battled back to win 10-5 at No. 5 singles. That set the stage for Batek, who after dropping the opening set, 6-4, battled back with 6-4 and 10-8 wins over Emmanuel junior Megan Harrington (Leicester, Mass.). This setback for the Saints at No. 4 singles helped the Anchorwomen win the closely contested match.
Eastman was the lone Anchorwoman to go undefeated on the day, teaming with senior Julie Bannon (Narragansett, RI) for an 8-2 win at the top doubles spot.
The Saints will be back in action on Thursday night (9/10). Emmanuel will host Curry College in the Saints home opener, beginning at 6:30pm at the Winsor School Tennis Courts. Rhode Island College will travel to Wesleyan University for a match on Thursday as well.