March 18, 2008

Women's Tennis Edged by Flagler, 5-4

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - The Rhode Island women's tennis team dropped a 5-4 decision to Flagler College (NCAA Division II), Monday afternoon at the Flagler Tennis Center. The loss drops Rhody to 7-4 while Flagler improves to 7-7.

The Rams earned a victory at No. 1 doubles as Nyssa Peele and Grace Hedstrom teamed to defeat Chelsi de Cuba and Roxane Alt, 8-5. Flagler captured the other two doubles matches to take the lead. Fernanda Ospina and Chelsea Taylor outlasted Valerie Chacon and Christen Cadigan (9-7) while Gabriela Ospina and Deon Miller defeated Amanda Barletta and Steff Catanzano, 8-4.

URI posted wins at Nos. 1 and 2 singles to take a 3-2 lead but Taylor won in straight sets over Hedstrom (6-3, 6-1) at No. 3 singles to square the match. Barletta then defeated Alt at No. 4 singles to push URI ahead but the Saints closed by winning singles matches at Nos. 5 and 6 as Kristen Liu fell to Miller (6-2, 6-4) and Chelsea Maratta defeated Brooke Hoover (6-3, 4-6, 6-2) to clinch the match for Flagler.

The Rams continue their southern swing by taking on Tufts, Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Daytona.

SINGLES
1. Nyssa Peele (URI) def. Chelsi de Cuba; 7-6 (7-4), 6-3
2. Christen Cadigan (URI) def. Fernanda Ospina; 4-6, 6-4, 1-0, retired
3. Chelsea Taylor (FC) def. Grace Hedstrom; 6-3, 6-1
4. Amanda Barletta (URI) def. Roxane Alt; 6-7, 6-4, 6-1
5. Deon Miller (FC) def. Kristen Liu; 6-2, 6-4
6. Chelsea Maratta (FC) def. Brooke Hoover; 6-3, 4-6, 6-2

DOUBLES
1. Peele/Hedstrom (URI) def. de Cuba/Alt; 8-5
2. F. Ospina/Taylor (FC) def. Chacon/Cadigan; 9-7
3. G .Ospina/Miller (FC) def. Barletta/Steff Catanzano; 8-4