BRISTOL, R.I. — The Roger Williams University women's tennis team continued its perfect start to the 2026 season Wednesday afternoon, sweeping Western New England University, 7-0, at the RWU Tennis Courts. The Hawks extended their winning streak to seven matches, improving to 7-0 overall and 3-0 in Conference of New England play.

Hawks Take Early Control

Roger Williams set the tone from the opening serve, taking all three doubles matches to build an early 3-0 advantage.

Valentina Abarca (Riobamba, Ecuador) and Iris Gkrekou (Athens, Greece) opened the action with a 6-1 victory, while Megan Bache (Westbrook, Conn.) and Adriana Palmieri (Southington, Conn.) followed with a 6-1 win. Ella Mancini (Middlebury, Conn.) and Claire Dwyer (Manchester, Maine) completed the doubles sweep with a 6-3 victory.

With all three doubles points secured, the Hawks carried a 3-0 lead into singles play.

Hawks Keep Rolling in Singles

Roger Williams continued its momentum in singles competition, winning all six matches to complete the 7-0 sweep.

Abarca added another victory with a 6-2, 6-2 straight-set win, while Gkrekou followed with a 6-0, 6-0 shutout. Bache also posted a 6-0, 6-0 victory, bringing the Hawks within one point of clinching the match.

Mancini then delivered another 6-0, 6-0 win to secure the overall victory for Roger Williams.

Strong Finish Seals the Sweep

With the match already clinched, the Hawks continued to battle through the final two singles contests. Palmieri earned a 6-1, 6-2 victory, while first-year Scarlett Bernard (Westwood, Mass.) closed out the afternoon with a 6-0, 6-0 win.

The six singles victories completed a perfect afternoon for Roger Williams, which swept all nine matches against Western New England.

Seven Straight

The 7-0 victory extended the Hawks' winning streak to seven matches to open the season, keeping Roger Williams perfect at 7-0 overall. The Hawks also remain unbeaten in CNE play with a 3-0 conference record.

The Hawks have now opened the season by winning each of their first seven matches, with Wednesday's sweep marking another complete team performance from the top of the lineup through the final singles court.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Hawks hit the road on Saturday, Sept. 26, traveling to Biddeford, Maine, to take on the University of New England. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.