The Rhode Island Women’s tennis team traveled to Boston University on Saturday, where they suffered a 7-0 defeat despite competitive play against some of the best tennis players in the country.
The doubles did not go the way the Rams had hoped as they lost all three matches by the score of 6-0, 6-2, 6-4.
However, the singles matches were a different story as the Rams pushed the Terriers to their limit. Sophomore Erin Chratian took on a top 100 player in the country, Boston University freshman Erica Di Battista, in her match. Although she would lose both sets, the contest was anything but a breeze for the talented freshman.
Additionally, sophomore Paulina Loredo and redshirt junior Tiara Higuchi played three set matches.
Loredo took on BU’s Katya Martens, leading after the first set and winning 6-2. Martens came back strong however, winning the second set 6-4 and setting the third set to a “super tiebreaker” where she defeated Loredo 10-6.
Higuchi found herself in a very different scenario as she would have to dig out of a 1-0 deficit after a 6-3 defeat in the first set. She was able to bounce back and take the second set 6-4. However, a 6-2 defeat in the third set ensured a BU win.
Despite the score lines to start the season, Head Coach Val Villucci remains positive that her team can turn things around with a few small changes.
“We are right there,” said Villucci. “We know we can compete with these big-time programs and we have already. We just have to recognize situations where we can turn the game around and take advantage. Once we take care of that, I have no doubt we will be winning some of these matches.”
Villucci said she is confident in this because of the improvements some of her girls have made already.
“Doubles is like night and day,” continued Villucci. “We have improved so much. We also have improved a lot in serving and we are starting to believe in ourselves even more.”
The Rams will begin Atlantic 10 play this Saturday, Feb. 15, when they travel to Philadelphia to take on St Joes at 5:30 p.m.