Senior Analise Kump earned a straight sets win at No. 2 singles. |
Laurilliard leads Engineers in doubles sweep to key win
WAYLAND, Mass. (April 1, 2016) – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute swept three doubles matches on its way to a 6-3 victory over Stonehill College, ranked sixth in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division II East Regional rankings, in women's tennis action on day one of the Nor'easter Bowl, hosted by Wellesley College, at The Longfellow Club today.
Senior Emily Laurilliard (Niskayuna, New York/Niskayuna) earned wins at both No. 1 singles and doubles to lead RPI to the win, keyed by a sweep of the three doubles matches by the Engineers. Laurilliard teamed up with sophomore Melanie Frank (Durham, Connecticut/Coginchaug Regional) for an 8-5 doubles decision before picking up a 6-2, 6-4 singles win against Stonehill senior Bailey Paradiso (Birmingham, Michigan/Marian).
Freshman Nisha Rajamohan (Waterford, Connecticut/IMG Academy) was also a double-winner for RPI, combining with classmate Andrea Valencia (Lake Mary, Florida/Lake Mary) for an 8-3 triumph at No. 3 doubles. Rajamohan followed that up with an 8-6 win at No. 6 singles against senior Caitlin McKinney (Braintree, Massachusetts/Braintree). Freshmen Maria Salmon (Tampa, Florida/H.B. Plant) and Mailani Neal (Kailua-Kona, Hawaii/Hawaii Prep) rounded out the Engineers doubles sweep by edging their way to a 9-7 decision at No. 2. Junior Pooja Ganesh (Fremont, California/Westborough) earned a point for RPI with her 6-1, 6-3 victory at No. 5 singles against sophomore Melissa Parker (Madison, Connecticut/Daniel Hand).
All three Stonehill points came in singles play, led by senior Analise Kump's (Falmouth, Maine/Falmouth) 6-1, 6-3 triumph at No. 2 against Salmon. Sophomore Victoria Barbetta (Wesley Chapel, Florida/Saddlebrook Prep) added a 6-4, 6-1 win at No. 3 against Frank, while freshman Nicole Downey (Groveland, Massachusetts/Pentucket Regional) notched a back and forth 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 victory against Valencia at No. 4.
Stonehill (13-8, 10-2 NE-10) is right back in action tomorrow for day two of the Nor'easter Bowl, hosted by Wellesley College, when it faces Saint Lawrence University at Wellesley's indoor courts at 3 p.m. The Skyhawks next home match is Sunday when it hosts College of the Holy Cross at 1 p.m. RPI (4-5, 1-1 Liberty) plays Babson College tomorrow at 5:45 p.m.
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