Women's Tennis Drops 5-4 Decision to Salem State in LEC Title Match

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Second seeded Salem State University captured the Little East Conference Tournament title as the visiting Vikings edged top-seeded and defending champion Bridgewater State University, 5-4, on Tuesday afternoon.

Tournament Most Outstanding Player, Lauren Turenne (Reading, Mass.), posted a come-from-behind triumph in the final match of the day at second singles to secure the championship for the Vikings.

Salem jumped out to a 2-1 lead after doubles play with Turenne and junior Michelle McEwen (Billerica, Mass.) winning 8-3 at the top flight and senior Patricia Quartararo (Lexington, Mass.) and junior Anna Yaskell (Stockholm, Sweden) combining for an 8-6 decision at number three.

BSU sophomore Jenna Williamson (Ludlow, Mass.) evened the match with a 6-0, 6-4 straight set decision over McEwen in the battle of the top flight singles players.  Salem junior Jessica Spinale (Saugus, Mass.) reclaimed the lead for the Vikings with a 6-1, 6-3 win at sixth singles.

The remaining four singles matches all went three sets with BSU junior Julie Kraby (Wrentham, Mass.) and freshman Rachael Eramo (Rowley, Mass.) capturing the third and fifth flights respectively, while senior Carly Muniz (Gloucester, Mass.) won at number four for Salem.

That would set the stage for Turenne who battled back from losing the first set, 6-3, to BSU senior Bridget Murphy (Mattapoisett, Mass.).  After winning the second set in a tie-breaker, 7-6 (7-4), Turenne won the match and gave Salem the tournament championship with a 6-2 decision in set number three.

Salem (12-2) will now advance to the NCAA Division III Tournament which takes place next May.  Bridgewater, which captured the Little East regular season title, wraps up the season with an overall record of 12-2.