URI Defeats Sacred Heart, Winning Seven to Zero

The University of Rhode Island women’s tennis team took care of business last week against Sacred Heart University (SHU), winning eight of nine matches.

It was all URI as the Rams beat the Pioneers in all but one match being at first doubles. The Rams took two of the three doubles matches and sweeping the doubles without dropping a set leading to an overall team score of 7-0. This was URI’s fourth win in five matches which brings their overall record to 5-5, 0-1.

URI’s conquest started at doubles thanks to two wins in doubles from the two doubles pairing of Higuchi and Loredo beating SHU’s Lauria and Alfonso 6-3. The three doubles pairing of Davis and Haber gave URI it’s first team point of the day after winning a tough match against the pairing of Santarsiero and Crivei 7-6 (7-5). URI’s only loss of the day was at one doubles with SHU’s pairing of Podsiebierski and Tobia defeating the sister duo of Erin and Sydney Chratian 6-1.

From there, Rhode Island controlled the match that day as they swept all six singles matches.

It was a big day for a few players on the team as freshman star Erin Chratian kicked the sweep off with her ninth singles win against Olivia Podsiebierski 6-2, 7-6 shortly followed by junior Tiara Higuchi’s fifth straight win at two singles against Brianne Lauria 6-0, 6-2. Freshman Paulina Loredo made quick work at three singles over Lauren Santarsiero 6-3, 6-1 along with a win at four singles from sophomore Halah Davis as she defeated Keira Tobia 6-4, 7-5. Freshman Sydney Chratian, and senior Ariel Haber, to finish off the sweep with a score of 6-4, 7-5 at five singles and a win at six singles 6-4, 6-0.

This win marks what is the fourth out of the last five matches for the Rams and bringing their overall record to (5-5, 0-1). After a rough last couple of years for the school’s women’s tennis program things seem to be moving in the right direction for the team as the 2019 spring season begins.

URI’s next match is home against conference opponent Saint Joseph’s on Saturday, March 30 at 12:30 p.m/ followed by another conference matchup against George Washington on Sunday, March 31 with a time to be announced.