KINGSTON, R.I. - The Saint Joseph's women's tennis team picked up its second straight win over an Atlantic 10 rival as the Hawks downed Rhode Island, 5-2, Saturday afternoon.
Saint Joseph's opened the match with a strong showing in doubles play as it picked up wins at the second and third flights for the first point of the match. Kristina Eisenbrand and Sarah Contrata teamed for a 6-1 win at No. 2 doubles, while Anne Marie Devlin and Maureen Devlin picked up a 6-3 win at the third flight.
In singles play, Alex Zachem earned a 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 4 singles, but Rhode Island fought back to earn a win at the second flight to make it 2-1 SJU.
Anne Marie Devlin posted a 6-0, 6-1 win at the sixth flight for the Hawks' third point, but again the Rams countered with a win at No. 5 singles.
Needing just one more win, SJU closed out the match in strong fashion. Claire Minnoe earned a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 win at the top flight, with Eisenbrand posting a 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-1 victory at No. 3 singles to earn the team win for SJU (6-12).
"A very tough and satisfying win over a scrappy Rhode Island team," said SJU head coach Ian Crookenden. "Excellent doubles and good adaptation to playing indoors after two weeks of outdoor play gave us the victory. Kudos to Claire, Kristina and captain Anne Marie and co-captain Alex for some solid singles play to lock up the match. Different conditions will prevail tomorrow at Fordham, but we are prepared."
Saint Joseph's and the Rams are set for a noon start on Sunday.
Doubles
1. Anna Peacock / Taylor Holden (URI) def. Claire Minnoe / Alex Zachem (SJU) 6-3
2. Kristina Eisenbrand / Sarah Contrata (SJU) def. Jordan Rucks / Ariel Haber (URI) 6-1
3. Anne Marie Devlin / Maureen Devlin (SJU) def. Nicole Kalver / Elizaveta Sadovnikova (URI) 6-3
Singles
1. Claire Minnoe (SJU) def. Anna Peacock (URI) 7-5, 3-6, 6-3
2. Taylor Holden (URI) def. Maureen Devlin (SJU) 6-4, 6-2
3. Kristina Eisenbrand (SJU) def. Elizaveta Sadovnikova (URI) 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-1
4. Alex Zachem (SJU) def. Jordan Rucks (URI) 6-1, 6-1
5. Ariel Haber (URI) def. Arianne Polatnick (SJU) 6-3, 6-4
6. Anne Marie Devlin (SJU) def. Nicole Kalver (URI) 6-0, 6-1
