SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's tennis team split a pair of matches over the weekend in Connecticut, falling to Yale, 6-1, on Friday before squeaking past former conference foe Quinnipiac, 4-3, on Saturday.

On Friday, Bryant ran into a nationally-ranked powerhouse in #53 Yale, falling to Ivy Leaguers, 6-1. In doubles action, the Black and Gold put up a fight at the no. 1 and 2 spots with freshman Ryan Brown (Austin, Texas) and junior Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand), and freshmen Marion Bouillin (San Diego, Calif.) and Briana Leonard (Westford, Mass.) all displaying strong performances despite falling to tough opponents.

In singles action, Leonard picked up the lone point for Bryant, taking down Amber Li at the no. 4 spot, who was unable to finish the match.

"Yale gave us an opportunity to play them this year and we quickly took advantage," said head coach Barbara Cilli. "They are very solid and so consistent – it's the best way to learn by watching and competing against them."

On Saturday, the Bulldogs ventured to Hamden, Conn., for a showdown with former-Northeast Conference member Quinnipiac. After dropping all three doubles matches, the Black and Gold regrouped with some strong singles matches to secure the 4-3 win, snapping a four-game skid in the process.

At no. 2 singles, Brown battled Jacqueline Raynor taking a 5-2 lead in the first set only to see Raynor fight all the way back to cut the deficit down to just one point, 6-5. After a 10 minute rain delay, Brown secured the opening set victory, 7-5, with a big serve, eventually taking care of business in the second set, 6-2.  In the 3 spot, Bird took down a very athletic Michelle Dassa, 7-5, 6-3, thanks to a strong service game and good movement along the baseline to knot the score, 2-2.

In the no. 6 singles position, Stephanie Smyers (Pittsburgh, Pa.) took the first set, 6-4, and kept the pedal down in the second, not allowing Danielle Reyes to sneak back into the match, eventually prevailing, 6-2. At no. 5 doubles, Devlin-Ann Ammendola (Massapequa, N.Y.) came back to take set number two, 6-0, after dropping the first set. In the third and deciding set, Ammendola got out to an early lead and eventually took the set and the match for the Bulldogs.

"This win was important for the girls to see how their work on and off the court can pay off," added Cilli. "We are competing in doubles, which is evident by both our matches this weekend, but we need to continue to work on our focus and competitive edge as the biggest part of our schedule lies ahead."

Bryant enters the home stretch of its schedule with just four matches remaining until the NEC Championships in April. Looking ahead, the Bulldogs will host Sacred Heart on Saturday before shipping off to Albany on Sunday.

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

Yale 6, Bryant 1

Bryant vs Quinnipiac 4-3

DOUBLES

#1 – Dzulynsky/Chupa (QU) def. Brown/Bird (BRY): 9-7
#2 – Dassa/Raynor (QU) def. Bouillon/Leonard (BRY): 8-4
#3 – Oliphant/Launie (QU) def. Ammendola/Smyers (BRY): 9-7

OOF  2,3,1

SINGLES
#1 – Dzulynsky (QU) def. Bouillon (BRY): 6-2, 6-7 (6), 6-4
#2 – Brown (BRY) def. Raynor (QU): 7-5, 6-2
#3 – Bird (BRY) def. Dassa (QU): 7-5, 6-3
#4 – Oliphant (QU) def. Leonard (BRY): 6-1, 6-4
#5 – Ammendola (BRY) def. Chupa (QU): 3-6, 6-0, 6-2
#6 – Smyers (BRY) def. Reyes (QU): 6-4, 6-2

OOF 4,2,3,6,5,1