North Scituate, Mass., native shines in first collegiate event

Lawrence earns the award for the first time after a strong start to her collegiate career at the Wilson/Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division II East Regional, hosted by the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, this past weekend. She reached the quarterfinal rounds in both the B singles and doubles bracket at the event, posting a combined 5-2 record in singles and doubles.

Lawrence was 3-1 in singles play, winning her first two collegiate matches without dropping a game in the pro-set scoring system with 8-0 victories over Georgian Court University senior Jen Targaglia and LIU-C.W. Post junior Katie Avelar in the first two rounds. Lawrence then defeated Bentley junior Rachael Litton, 8-4, in the round of 16 before falling to Goldey-Beacom College sophomore Gabriela Chaves in the quarters, 8-4.

Lawrence also combined with junior Jennifer Denyes (Bradenton, Fla./St. Stephen Episcopal) for a 2-1 doubles mark. The duo earned a first round bye in the B doubles bracket and then topped University of the Sciences Juliet Choi and Laney Jones, 8-3, in the second round. After defeating Merrimack College's Mollie Fitzgerald and Kara Hole, 8-3 in the round of 16, the Skyhawk teammates were edged by Bentley's Litton and Kara Murphy in the quarterfinals, 8-6.

Lawrence joined Stonehill following a standout career at Mount Saint Charles Academy in Rhode Island, where she was a four-time All-State performer, earning first team honors three years.

Stonehill (0-0, 0-0 NE-10), ranked fourth in the ITA East Regional rankings, opens its dual match schedule at College of the Holy Cross on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. The Skyhawks first home match of the fall season is Sunday, when it hosts Franklin Pierce University in their NE-10 opener at Charles Watt Tennis Courts at 11 a.m.