Playing at the Newport Hall of Fame has propelled the Rams to a hot start – Photo from gorhody.com.
The University of Rhode Island Tennis team won its fourth-straight match on Saturday after overcoming Quinnipiac University 4-3 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport.
The score was tied twice throughout the duration of the match. Redshirt senior Tiara Higuchi broke the second tie in three sets 6-7, 6-2, 6-3, and all it took was sophomore Nadia Rajan’s three-set win 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (5) to finalize Rhode Island’s fourth-consecutive victory.
Saturday’s win continued excellent play by Higuchi, who was named the Atlantic 10 Women’s Tennis Performer of the Week after her outing on March 14 against in-state rival Providence College. Head Coach Val Villucci said Higuchi is a player that anchors the team and is a consistent competitor in every match.
“She is a very good competitor, and she certainly knows how to extend matches,” Coach Villucci said. “She tends to physically and mentally wear her opponent down because she is such a scrambler on the court. She can get to pretty much any ball. She keeps the points somewhat long, and it is to her advantage.”
Two of URI’s doubles teams won their sets to earn the doubles point for the Rams. Junior Sydney Chratian partnered with redshirt senior Rachel Smilansky, and junior Paulina Loredo paired up with senior Halah Davis to get Rhody crucial wins.
“I have spent a lot of time preaching what I am expecting on the doubles court, focusing and practicing that style of play,” Coach Villucci said. “Most of the players have really worked hard at achieving that style, and we are showing it by the success we have been having in doubles. Doubles is such an important point for us, and it has [shown] in the matches that we have played so far.”
Earlier on in the day, after the Bobcats knotted the score at one, Smilansky won her singles match in straight sets 6-1, 6-0 to give the Rams the overall lead, 2-1.
Rhode Island has played each of its five matches this season at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Coach Villucci said it has been “certainly satisfying” to see the team do so well in Newport, and it “does not hurt” to have a home to play at and host opposing teams.
“We have not always had that ability,” she said. “Having the wear-and-tear of being on the road often for every match like we have done in the past makes a big difference. Familiarity also plays a big role in comfort level when you are competing, and right now we are in a good place.”
This Sunday, the Rams are scheduled to compete against their first Atlantic 10 opponent, Saint Joseph’s University, in their final match at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
In the hunt for their fifth win in a row, Coach Villucci said the team needs to “continue doing what they are doing” on the court. She said that by continuing to fine-tune on doubles and work at some other spots where they want to see results, a bit more pressure will be taken off the team as a whole.
“Conference play is always tough,” Coach Villucci said. “We have to be ready.”