Women's tennis picks up first-ever win against Quinnipiac
HAMDEN, Conn. – The Bryant University women's tennis squad had never recorded a victory against league power Quinnipiac University, but that streak came to an end on Saturday, as the Bulldogs downed the preseason-favorite Bobcats, 5-2, at the QU Outdoor Tennis Courts in thrilling fashion.
By virtue of the victory, Bryant improved to 8-3 on the season while the Bobcats fell to 3-6 on the year.
Starting at doubles, the Bulldogs took the early advantage as the continued success of freshmen doubles partners Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) and Devlin-Ann Ammendola (Massapequa, N.Y.) helped the visitors to an early 8-1 win at #3 doubles. But the hosts evened the doubles score with an 8-3 win from Rachel Cantor and Sarah Viebrock at the #1 spot, setting the stage for a huge match in the #2 flight.
Needing to break through to take an early lead in the match, sophomore Marcela Brandao (Santo Andre, Brazil) and junior Claudia Hidalgo (Guayaquil, Ecuador) gutted out an 8-6 win to clinch the doubles point in the #2 spot over Jacqueline Raynor and Michelle Dasa, as the duo improved to 5-1 as partners by means of their fourth straight win in doubles.
That early point proved to be huge, as Quinnipiac tied the match with a victory at #3 singles from Viebrock. Brandao and Hidalgo answered with two big wins at the #2 and #1 singles flights, respectively, as the Bulldogs took a 3-1 lead to set up Rosie Bird for a clinching opportunity at the #6 position.
Bird made the most of her opportunity, as the freshman sensation picked up her team-leading fifth straight singles win with a 6-3; 6-0 victory over Lavinia Cristescu to wrap up the win for the Bulldogs. Sophomore Stephanie Smyers (Pittsburgh, Pa.) accounted for the remaining Bulldog point with a 6-2; 7-6 (4) win at the #5 spot before QU closed the match with a win at #4 singles.
The Bulldogs return to the courts this weekend with a trip to non-conference foe Albany on Saturday (March 31) before returning home to host league foe Sacred Heart on Sunday, April 1, at the Bryant Tennis Complex.
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Bryant 5, Quinnipiac 2
Doubles
- Cantor/Viebrock def. Smyers/Lucy Bird 8-3
- Brandao/Hidalgo def. Raynor/Dasa 8-6
- Rosie Bird/Ammendola def. Launie/Cristescu 8-1
Singles
- Hidalgo def. Cantor 7-5; 6-3
- Brandao def. Raynor 6-2; 6-2
- Viebrock def. Ammendola 6-2; 6-1
- Dasa def. Vickers 7-5; 7-6 (4)
- Smyers def. Launie 6-2; 7-6 (4)
- Rosie Bird def. Cristescu 6-3; 6-0
OOF: 3, 2, 1, 6, 5, 4
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For continuing coverage of Bryant University women's tennis, check back online at www.bryantbulldogs.com; also follow the Bulldogs on Twitter @BryantAthletics.
