Women's Tennis Battles Salem State on Senior Day

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The visiting Salem State University women's tennis team earned a 6-3 decision over Bridgewater State University in a Little East Conference (LEC) match on Wednesday afternoon at the Rosen Memorial Tennis Courts.

The Vikings improve to 7-4 on the season and 6-2 in the Little East, while the host Bears fall to 7-7 overall and 4-4 in conference play.

Salem State captured two of the three doubles matches and four of the six singles flights to earn the key LEC win.

In doubles play, SSU junior Anastasia Startseva (Volgograd, Russia) and sophomore Caroline Robitaille (South Hadley, Mass.) teamed up for an 8-4 decision at the top flight while senior Madeline Allaire (Columbus, Ohio) and junior Meredith Macdonald (Lynn, Mass.) recorded an 8-5 triumph at the second spot. Sophomore Olivia Sweeney (Taunton, Mass.) and freshman Vanessa Rosa (Taunton, Mass.) notched the Bears' lone doubles point with an 8-2 victory at number three.

Startseva (6-0, 6-2), Allaire (6-1, 6-3), Robitaille (3-6, 7-5, 6-1) and sophomore Hannah Dahrouge (South Hadley, Mass.) all earned singles wins for the Vikings at the first, second, third and sixth flights, respectively. Dahrouge garnered the deciding fifth point with a 7-5, 6-2 straight set decision at six.

Rosa cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 straight set win for Bridgewater State at the fifth singles flight. Junior Angelique Gray (Osterville, Mass.) also won in straight sets for the Bears at number four, 6-4, 6-2.

Following the match, Bridgewater State held Senior Day festivities as Kelly Gately (Taunton, Mass.), Emily McGrath (North Dartmouth, Mass.) and Rachel Tarantino (Mansfield, Mass.) were honored.

The Bears wrap up regular season play on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Plymouth State University for a one o'clock Little East match with the Panthers. The Vikings host LEC foe Worcester State University on Saturday also at one.