BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Women's Tennis team is set to host No. 5 Endicott in a Conference of New England (CNE) Tournament First Round matchup on Tuesday afternoon on the RWU Tennis Courts.
Endicott, earned the No. 5 seed in the conference tournament after posting a 7-6 record on the season, with a 6-4 record within the CNE. The Gulls, picked up key victories over University of New England and University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) to secure their spot in the CNE Tournament.
For Roger Williams, the Hawks posted a 13-2 record during the regular season, while posting an 8-2 record in conference play. The Hawks were undefeated deep into the season, losing only to Gordon and Nichols, placing them at the No. 4 seed.
Endicott leads the all-time series 24-14, with the Hawks picking up a close 4-3 win over the Gulls earlier this season. The Hawks hold a 10-9 record playing Endicott in Bristol, R.I. The last time the two teams faced off in the postseason was October 23, 2021 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Championship, the Hawks losing to Endicott 5-0.
Based on the projected lineups submitted, Endicott will turn to their No. 1 doubles pairing of Emily Leclerc and Caroline Sutliffe, who posted a 6-4 record playing together this season. The Hawks will send Valentina Abarca (Riobamba, Ecuador) and Megan Bache (Westbrook, Conn.) who have combined for a 9-5 record at the No. 1 slot. At No. 2 doubles, the Gulls' Nadia Uzelac and Sam Hartman (1-0) will face Ella Mancini (Middlebury, Conn.) and Izzy Pecora (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) (11-3). The No. 3 spot will take place between Abbey Fleming and Amber Woods (4-1) and Adriana Palmieri (Southington, Conn.) and Gabrielle Petroniro (Wolcott, Conn.) (10-0).
In singles play, Abarca (7-6) will take on Leclerc (8-5) at the top singles spot, while No. 2 singles will be between Pecora (10-3) and Friedman (5-4). At No. 3, Mancini (8-5) will take on Sutliffe (3-2) with Bache (11-2) facing off against Uzelac (6-0). The singles matches will round out with Palmieri (13-0) and Milana Montini (2-2) at No. 5 singles and No. 6 singles being contested between Petroniro (11-2) and Woods (2-1).
Roger Williams and Endicott will match up on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 4:00 pm on the RWU Tennis Courts. The winner will advance to play No. 1 Colby-Sawyer on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 1:00 pm in New London, N.H. The other side of the bracket will feature No. 6 University of New England at No. 3 Gordon on Tuesday beginning at 3:00 pm with the winner advancing to face No. 2 Nichols on Wednesday.
