In a hard-fought match Saturday, Bridgewater State University bested the USM women’s tennis team 6-3 at the USM Field House in Gorham.
The team played a long day of tennis, which included USM team members playing two roles as they competed in both doubles and singles matches. Each game was a close call, with only a few points deciding matches. Two of the nine games ended, heartbreakingly for the Huskies, in tiebreakers. The third loss of the season brings the Husky’s record to 2-3.
“Bridgewater is a very good team,” said USM head coach Ron Chicoine. “It’s nice to have a competitive match.”
Coach Chicoine reminisced on how they had lost to Bridgewater in the past, and how this time turned out to be a much closer match. He also spoke with hope regarding the team’s future. USM has a young team, with three freshmen in the lineup. Even though today ended in a loss, he was happy with the experience they gained from the day’s competition.
USM’s lone win in singles came from sophomore Tegan Talbot (Topsham) who defeated Bridgewater sophomore Julie Kraby 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the fourth singles match. Freshman Emily Boutin (Old Town) and senior captain Erica Robertson (St. Albans, Vt.) both lost their singles matches in tiebreakers.
In doubles, USM took the second and third matches as freshman Rachel Miller (Portland) teamed up with Boutin to defeat Kraby and Bridgewater junior Bridget Murphy 8-6 in second doubles. Robertson joined USM freshman Sarah Moody (Scarborough) to take the third doubles match 9-7 over Bridgewater freshman Jenna Williamson and sophomore Lauren Hopp.
Bridgewater, who remains undefeated at this point in the season, looks to carry the momentum of their sharp play as they will travel to Worcester on Sept. 20 to take on Worcester State at 3:30pm.
The close matches for the Huskies are an encouraging sign that the team is still growing and becoming more competitive. USM will take the court again on Sept. 21 as they travel to Salem State for a LEC match starting at 3:30 p.m.