Rhode Island College Defeats UMass Dartmouth 4-0 in LEC Semifinals
Top-seeded Rhode Island College advanced to the Little East Conference Women’s Tennis Championship final with a 4-0 sweep over fourth-seeded UMass Dartmouth on Thursday at the RIC Tennis Center. The Anchorwomen secured the doubles point and quickly followed with three straight-set singles victories to seal the postseason win.
The victory lifts Rhode Island College to a 13-3 overall record for the season. UMass Dartmouth concluded its campaign with an 11-7 record following the semifinal exit.
Doubles Play Sets Early Tone for Anchorwomen
Rhode Island College took command of the match early by claiming two victories in doubles action. Arianna DeThomas and Emilia Houwers defeated Mya Dean and Alyson Tobias 6-1 at the No. 2 position. Moments later, Addison Hadlock and Ivy Par clinched the doubles point at No. 3 with a 6-3 win over Gianna Doiron and Tamia McQueen. The No. 1 doubles match remained unfinished, with RIC’s Haylie Peacock and Faith Owren holding a 5-3 lead against Magali Breur and Ava Aguiar when play stopped.
Championship bound! No. 1 Rhode Island College and No. 3 UMass Boston will battle for the LEC Women’s Tennis title Saturday, Oct. 24, at 11 a.m. after semifinal wins over UMass Dartmouth and Bridgewater State.#LECWTEN #LECChampionship pic.twitter.com/TB0161yoYt
Straight-Set Singles Victories Secure the Sweep
Houwers carried her momentum into singles play, defeating Tobias 6-1, 6-1 at No. 3 to double the team lead to 2-0. Owren quickly added a third point for the Anchorwomen by defeating Doiron 6-2, 6-0 at No. 4. DeThomas then sealed the match at No. 2 with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Dean, delivering the decisive fourth point.
Three remaining singles matches were halted once the overall decision was reached. Breur led Peacock 6-3, 4-2 at No. 1, Hadlock held a 6-3, 4-1 advantage over Aguiar at No. 5, and McQueen led Par 6-4, 1-0 at No. 6.
Championship Final Matchup Against UMass Boston
Rhode Island College advances to face third-seeded UMass Boston in the championship final on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 11 a.m.