Manchester, Conn.--Sophomore Grace Zangari (Saunderstown, RI) had a pair of victories, including the match-clinching win at No. 1 singles, to lead the Rhode Island College women's tennis team to a 5-3 win over Messiah in an opening round contest of the 2019 NCAA Div. III Championship, hosted by Wesleyan on Friday morning.
• With the team's 18th win, the Anchorwomen establish a new program record for victories in a season. The previous mark was 17, set by the 2017-18 team.
THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 5, Messiah 3
Rhode Island College (18-0)
Messiah (9-9)
HOW IT HAPPENED
• RIC took the first point of the day at No. 2 doubles as the team of Zangari and sophomore Hailey Raskob (North Smithfield, RI) posted an 8-0 win over senior Amanda Adams (Cinnaminson, NJ) and sophomore Rebekah Adams (Cinnaminson, NJ).
• The Anchorwomen made it, 2-0, after junior Julie Marciniak (South Kingstown, RI) and sophomore Emily Orticerio (Smithfield, RI) defeated MC senior Gabby Brooks (Dunkirk, MD) and freshman Rachel Marcroft (Lancaster, PA), 8-5, at No. 3 doubles.
• Messiah got on the board at No. 1 doubles when seniors Kaitlyn Russell (Kennett Square, PA) and Emily Weichert (Collegeville, PA) recorded an 8-4 win over RIC senior Katherine Braganca (Pawtucket, RI) and sophomore Laurel Ten Eyck (Warwick, RI).
• RIC held the on-point, 2-1, advantage in the match heading into singles action.
• RIC freshman Clara Siegmund (Pomfret, CT) posted a (6-2, 6-0) victory over Brooks at No. 5 singles to extend the Anchorwomen's lead to 3-1.
• Ten Eyck made it a 4-1 lead with a (6-2, 6-0) win against Messiah senior Sarah Summerson (New Hope, PA) at No. 6 singles.
• Weichert helped Messiah close the gap to, 4-2, with a (6-2, 6-2) victory over RIC sophomore Victoria Vittori (New Bedford, MA) at No. 2 singles.
• Amanda Adams posted a (7-6, 6-2) win against Raskob at No. 3 singles to pull Messiah within a point, 4-3, for the contest.
• Zangari then closed out the win for the Anchorwomen with a (6-4, 7-5) victory against Russell to secure the win.
• The win for RIC marks the second consecutive season the Anchorwomen have won in the first round of the NCAA Championship. It is also only the third NCAA win for a Little East institution.
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will take on host Wesleyan on Saturday, May 11 (10 a.m.). The Cardinals are ranked No. 4 in the nation.
