The University of Rhode Island women’s tennis team split the weekend, losing on Saturday to Quinnipiac University and picking up a win on Sunday against Stonehill College.
The Rams struggled on Saturday against Quinnipiac, losing 4-0 on the road in North Haven, Conn., not picking up a single team point.
In doubles, the Rams lost their first two matches, giving Quinnipiac the point. It started with first-year Kajsa Helgesen alongside fourth-year Nikki Fernando. The pairing lost 6-4 in a tight one. Second-year pairing Grace Darcy and Anastasia Pettersson lost their match 6-3.
In singles, things didn’t get any better for the Rams. Out of the six singles matches, three of them were lost in straight sets, and the other three were not finished after the Bobcats reached four points to secure the win.
Losses came from Fernando, Darcy and Pettersson. Fernando lost in straight sets, 6-3 and 6-4. Darcy lost 6-2 and 6-4 in straight sets. Pettersson also lost in straight sets, 6-4 and 6-1.
Fourth-year Sophie Herrman, Helgesen and first-year Miruna Scarlat’s matches all did not finish. Herrman lost the first set of her singles match, but was leading the second set 4-1. Helgesen and Scarlat both won the first set of their matches and didn’t finish the second set. Helgesen was losing 4-1 in her second set, and Scarlat was leading 5-3 in hers.
The Rams came back home on Sunday and bounced back with a 6-1 win against Stonehill.
“I think it shows how resilient we are,” Fernando said. “We were definitely challenged on Saturday, and we could’ve taken that loss and soaked in it, but I think we turned it into something good,” Fernando said.
In doubles, the Rams swept the three matches, making it look easy to get the first point of the evening. Fernando and Helgesen started the day with a 6-3 victory. Followed up by wins coming from Darcy alongside Pettersson and Herrman alongside fourth-year Ava Grnja. Darcy and Pettersson won 6-1, showing dominance. Herrman and Grnja won 6-2.
In singles, the Rams looked strong all around, winning five of the six matches after winning no singles matches on Saturday. Wins came in straight sets from Fernando, Herrman, Pettersson, Helgesen and Scarlat. Darcy fell short in three sets, 6-4, 2-6 and 2-6, in a close match.
“I’m glad that we played the day after and could show that toughness and that grit,” URI Head Coach Jonas Brobeck said.
The Rams now have a big trip to California, where they will play three games throughout next week, making a transition from indoor to outdoor tennis. The Rams will have to prepare for a different type of setting over the nine days before returning to action.
“We’re excited about this week’s weather,” Brobeck said. “We’re going to try to practice as much as we can this week, leading into the Saturday trip outdoors.”
The Rams are now 7-4 on the season. They will face Saint Mary’s College on Tuesday, San Jose State University on Wednesday and Dominican University on March 20.
