ORLANDO, Fla. – The Roger Williams University women's tennis team was able to battle back from a 2-1 deficit at the end of doubles play, defeating Franciscan, 6-3, on Wednesday morning at the United States Tennis Association National Campus.
 
The Barons picked up the first point in doubles play with an 8-1 win at No. 1 doubles, but the Hawks responded with a win at No. 3 doubles by Izzy Pecora (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) and Olivia Santoro (Cheshire, Conn.), 8-5, leveling the score. Clair Cardie and Kina Ehlers then added a point for Franciscan to take a 2-1 advantage into singles play.
 
Santoro added the first point for Roger Williams in singles play defeating Margaret Vernau, 6-3, 2-6, 10-4, leveling the match score.  A win in first singles by Maria Herrera gae the Barons a 3-2 edge. Pecora then swept her opponent in No. 5 singles 7-5, 6-1 evening things up for the Hawks before, Alessia Cahoon (Dedham, Mass.) put Roger Williams up for the first time in the match.
 
Gianna Ferraro (Westerly, R.I.) clinched the match for Roger Williams at No. 2 singles, winning 3-6, 6-2, 10-4 as she battled back for the win. Gracie McCarthy (Marion, Mass.) then finished the final match with a win in No. 4 single.
 
Roger Williams (14-3, 6-1 CCC) will close out their season on Thursday, Mar. 16 at a rescheduled time of 3 pm.