NEWPORT, R.I. – After resuming play Wednesday due to the suspension of the match one day earlier, the Roger Williams University Women's Tennis team dropped the deciding No. 1 singles match that gave Salve Regina University a 5-4 win Wednesday afternoon.

Salve Regina University women's tennis swept three doubles matches and put a singles victory on the board before Roger Williams University mounted a comeback with wins at second, fifth, and sixth singles. The Seahawks enjoyed a 4-3 lead on Tuesday before darkness suspended No. 1 and No. 4 singles matches.

Salve Regina sophomore Erin Phillips (Morristown, N.J.) took her first set at No. 1 singles with a 7-3 score in the tiebreak. But Roger Williams sophomore Leah Ribchinsky (Ivoryton, Conn.) won the second set (7-5) and that match was suspended along with No. 4 singles between Hawk freshman Amanda Wolfe (Mansfield, Mass.) and Seahawk freshman Nickie Stevens (Chester, Conn.).

The four players resumed their matches on Wed., Sept. 24 (4:30 p.m.) at Carey Mansion courts on Salve Regina campus. Stevens saved a match point against in the ninth game and forced Wolfe to serve for the win at No. 4 singles. Wolfe held by winning the final two points after a 30-all score.

Phillips broke right away in the final set at No. 1 singles but was unable to hold her serve until the fourth game. Trailing 3-1, Ribchinsky held her serve and broke Phillips to knot the set at 3-all. Phillips broke and held again before Ribchinsky held to force Phillips to serve for the match at 5-4. Ribchinsky wiped away two match points against and created a break-point opportunity, but Phillips hit a service winner to force another duece. Phillips captured the next two points for the victory.

“Erin played with great composure today,” said Seahawk head coach Ed Habershaw. “Yesterday, her inconsistent serving got her in trouble, but today she was able to establish a rhythm and produced a consistent second serve. She also played aggressively on key points and applied tremendous pressure with her penetrating groundstrokes.”

The Seahawk victory snaps a three-match losing streak against the two-time defending conference champions. The two schools have combined to win the last six conference titles (three apiece).

“It is safe to say that our doubles were the key to this victory,” added Habershaw. “Jessica (Smith) and Elise (Jones) trailed 5-2 in their No. 2 doubles and won their last six games for their second straight come-from-behind doubles victory.”

Phillips and partner Jessica Timpano (Narragansett, R.I.) took an 8-6 decision at No. 1 doubles while senior Stefi Carrell (Stowe, Vt.) and sophomore Valerie Leso (West Warwick, R.I.) won their second straight doubles match at the third spot (8-4).

Senior captain Smith (Bristol, Conn.) let that doubles momentum carry her to a 6-0, 6-3 victory at No. 3 singles. Jones (Pittsfield, Mass.) lost a tough straight-set match to Hawk junior Katelin Richard (West Islip, N.Y.). The Hawks also had straight-set singles wins from Lily Osowski (Byfield, Mass.) at No. 2 and freshman Caitlin Osepchuk (Ocean Grove, N.J.).

Tennis Match Results

Roger Williams vs Salve Regina

09/23/08 at Newport, R.I.

Salve Regina 5, Roger Williams 4

Singles competition:

1. Erin Phillips (SRU) def. Leah Ribchinsky (RWU) 7-6 (7-3), 5-7, 6-4

2. Lily Osowski (RWU) def. Jessica Timpano (SRU) 6-2, 7-6 (7-5)

3. Jessica Smith (SRU) def. Katie Wilmes (RWU) 6-0, 6-3

4. Amanda Wolfe (RWU) def. Nichol Stevens (SRU) 6-3, 5-3, 6-4

5. Katelin Richard (RWU) def. Elise Jones (SRU) 6-4, 6-3

6. Caitlin Osepchuk (RWU) def. Kristen Romano (SRU) 6-3, 6-3

Doubles competition:

1. Erin Phillips/Jessica Timpano (SRU) def. Lily Osowski/Leah Ribchinsky (RWU) 8-6

2. Elise Jones/Jessica Smith (SRU) def. Caitlin Osepchuk/Katelin Richard (RWU) 8-5

3. Stefi Carrell/Valerie Leso (SRU) def. Kristin Dono/Amanda Wolfe (RWU) 8-4

Match Notes:

Roger Williams 3-4; 2-3 TCCC

Salve Regina 4-2; 4-1 TCCC

Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (3,2,6,5,4,1)

No. 1 and No. 4 singles were suspended due to darkness; No. 1 will start third

set and No. 4 is at duece in the ninth game with Stevens serving. Match resumed

on Wed., Sept. 24 (4:30 p.m.) at Carey Mansion courts on Salve Regina campus.

Phillips wins third set (6-4) to clinch victory.

T-4:34  A-61 

- Release courtesy of the Salve Regina University Sports Information Department