Springfield, Mass. — March 28, 2010 — The bottom of the singles line-up came through in a big way, allowing the Springfield College women’s tennis team to defeat Salve Regina University, 5-4, this afternoon at SC’s Appleton Courts.
The No. 5 and No. 6 singles players for the Pride, junior Kristi Maltz (Waterford, Conn,) and freshman Siana Green (Pomfret, Conn.), provided the final two points to win it. Maltz won her match at No. 5 by a score of 6-3, 6-4 over junior Elise Jones (Pittsfield, Mass.). Green won her match at No. 6 by a score of 6-3, 6-3. over freshman Leeanne Soprano (West Cranston, R.I.)
Other singles winners for SC included freshman Erin Woodbury (Yarmouth, Me.) at No. 3 (6-3, 6-1), and senior co-captain Funmi Olowookere (Woonsocket, R.I.) at No. 4 (6-2, 6-3).
Salve had taken a 2-1 lead after doubles play. At. No. 2, the Seahawks’ sophomore Nichol Stevens (Chester, Conn.) and junior Val Leso (West Warwick, R.I.) were 8-2 winners. At. No. 3, Jones and Soprano were 8-4 winners. For the home team, the No. 1 duo of junior Amy Shaw (Walpole, Mass.) and junior co-captain Kyla Walgren (West Hartford, Conn.) provided an important point by winning, 9-7.
Springfield was minus the services this afternoon of a pair of freshmen, Sam Carney (Franklin, Mass.) and Vanessa Senecal (Seekonk, Mass.), its normal No. 2 and No. 6 singles players. Carney is the reigning NEWMAC Rookie of the Year. Both were attending a YMCA Leadership Summit in Silver Bay, N.Y.
Up next, Springfield will play at Smith on Saturday, April 10 at 9:00 am.
Final Team Score — Springfield 5, Salve Regina 4
Doubles
1) Amy Shaw/Kyla Walgren (SC) def. Erin Phillips/Jess Timpano (SRU), 9-7
2) Nichol Stevens/Val Leso (SRU) def. Funmi Olowookere/Erin Woodbury (SC), 8-2
3) Elise Jones/Leeanne Soprano (SRU) def. Kristi Maltz/Beth Slotnick (SC), 8-4
Singles
1) Phillips (SRU) def. Shaw (SC), 7-5, 7-5
2) Stevens (SRU) def. Walgren (SC), 6-4, 6-3
3) Woodbury (SC) def. Timpano (SRU), 6-3, 6-1
4) Olowookere (SC) def. Leso (SRU), 6-2, 6-3
5) Maltz (SC) def. Jones (SRU), 6-3, 6-4
6) Siana Green (SC) def. Soprano (SRU), 6-3, 6-3
