Women's Tennis Downs Southern Maine, 8-1

GORHAM, Maine -- The visiting Bridgewater State University women's tennis team cruised to an 8-1 victory over the University of Southern Maine in a Little East Conference (LEC) match on Saturday afternoon in Gorham, Maine.

The Bears improve to 3-2 on the season and 2-1 in the Little East, while the host Huskies fall to 0-5 overall and 0-3 in conference play.

Bridgewater State swept the three doubles matches and captured five of the six singles flights.

In doubles play, freshman Madeline Von Ruden (Ashley Falls, Mass.) and sophomore Allison Carter (Raynham, Mass.) teamed up for an 8-0 win at number one, while graduate student Olivia Sweeney (Taunton, Mass.) and senior Vanessa Rosa (Taunton, Mass.) combined for an 8-0 triumph at the second flight. Juniors Brianna Venditti (North Smithfield, R.I.) and Mackenzie Silveira (Middletown, R.I.) checked in with an 8-0 victory at the third spot.

In singles competition, Rosa, Venditti, Carter, Silveira and freshman Rebecca Hamel (Windham, Maine) each recorded 6-0, 6-0 straight set wins at the second through sixth flights, respectively. The victory for Hamel marked the first of her collegiate career.

Southern Maine's lone point came at number one singles as senior Emma Nassif (Saco, Maine) outlasted Sweeney in a tie-breaker, 6-3, 3-6, 10-8.

The Little East schedule continues for both teams on Tuesday afternoon. The Bears host the Beacons of UMass Boston at three o'clock, while the Huskies travel to Plymouth State University for a 3:30 match with the Panthers.