Women's Tennis Battles Back for 5-4 Win over Clark

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University women's tennis team kept battling back as the Bears posted a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over host Clark University on Monday afternoon/evening at the Corash Tennis Courts in Worcester.

The visiting Bears even their 2018 record at 4-4 with the win, while the host Cougars fall to 1-1.

Bridgewater trailed 2-1 after doubles play, but then captured four of the six singles flights to win the match.

Sophomore Jillian Skulsky (Marshfield, Mass.) and senior Maggie Tarbox (Lebanon, Conn.) teamed up for an 8-4 win at number one doubles for the Cougars, while junior Anna Gates (North Scituate, Mass.) and sophomore Elizabeth Garfield (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) posted an 8-3 triumph at the second flight. Sophomore Olivia Sweeney (Taunton, Mass.) and freshman Vanessa Rosa (Taunton, Mass.) paired up for an 8-3 decision at the third spot for the Bears' lone doubles point.

In singles play, BSU junior Emma Mills (Westport, Mass.) won the first set at the top flight, 6-0, and was awarded the victory when her opponent retired due to injury during the second set. Garfield and sophomore Elizabeth Tchantouridze (Northfield, Vt.), however, responded with straight set wins at the third (7-5, 6-4) and fifth (6-3, 6-2) flights, respectively, to give Clark a 4-2 lead.

Senior Emily McGrath (North Dartmouth, Mass.) battled back from a set down to post a 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 triumph at sixth singles and pull the Bears to within a point at 4-3. BSU junior Angelique Gray (Osterville, Mass.) then tied the match with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 victory at the fourth flight.

Sweeney capped off the comeback as she fought her way back from a set down at the second flight to record a 3-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1 win and secure the match victory for Bridgewater State.

The Bears return to Little East Conference (LEC) play on Wednesday afternoon when they travel to the University of Southern Maine for a three o'clock match with the Huskies.