Lancers Suffer 7-2 Loss to Rhode Island College on Senior Day

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University women's tennis team suffered a 7-2 loss to the Rhode Island College Anchorwomen Saturday evening in a Little East Conference (LEC) match at the Corash Tennis Courts on the campus of Clark University.

"Today was our senior day and the team played their hearts out for senior captain Shelby Jankins," commented head coach Courteney Blais. "The outcome of the day does not match the effort and exciting points that each match consisted of."

Rhode Island College began the match with a doubles sweep as the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles partners defeated their opponents 8-2, then the Anchorwomen earned a point at No. 3 doubles, by forfeit. Dayna Reilly (Swansea, Mass.) and Julie Reddy (Smithfield, R.I.) earned the victory at the No. 1 slot, while Katherine Braganca (Pawtucket, R.I.) and Isabella Romero (Greenville, R.I.) seized the win at the No. 2 spot.

Going into singles play ahead 3-0, Rhode Island College's Reilly upped the score to 4-0 on a 6-0, 6-0 sweep over senior Shelby Jankins (W. Brookfield, Mass.). However, Worcester came through with their first win shortly after as junior Rachel Green (Worcester, Mass.) defeated Jorgie Martin (Greenville, R.I.) 6-4, 6-0 to close the gap to three at No. 4 singles.

The Anchorwomen clinched the match on the next singles win when Reddy downed Alexis Silk (Greenfield, Mass.) 6-1, 6-1. Other singles wins from Rhode Island College came from Romero and Jenna St. Lawrence (Greenville, R.I.) who earned the point on a Worcester forfeit. Worcester notched one more point at No. 3 singles when Nathalie Khafaga (Auburn, Mass.) defeated her opponent, Laura Natasi (Smithville, N.J.) 6-3, 7-5.

"Rachel cruised through her singles match confidently, and Nathalie played a calm and strategic match today," stated Blais.

The Lancers (6-6, 4-4 LEC) conclude their 2016 regular season on Thursday (Oct. 13) when they host Anna Maria College in a non-conference game, and look forward to playoffs which start the week after next. The Anchorwomen (10-1, 6-1 LEC) resume play then in a non-conference game at Clark, and then conclude their regular season with a Saturday (Oct. 15) LEC matchup at Plymouth State.

Singles

1. Dayna Reilly (RIC) def. Shelby Jankins (WOR) 6-0, 6-0
2. Julie Reddy (RIC) def. Alexis Silk (WOR) 6-1, 6-1
3. Nathalie Khafaga (WOR) def. Laura Nastasi (RIC) 6-3, 7-5
4. Rachel Green (WOR) def. Jorgie Martin (RIC) 6-4, 6-0
5. Isabella Romero (RIC) def. Isabel Badeau (WOR) 6-3, 6-1
6. Jenna St. Lawrence (RIC) def. No player (WOR), by forfeit

Doubles

1. Dayna Reilly/Julie Reddy (RIC) def. Shelby Jankins/Nathalie Khafaga (WOR) 8-2
2. Katherine Braganca/Isabella Romero (RIC) def. Isabel Badeau/Rachel Green (WOR) 8-2
3. Laura Nastasi/Jorgie Martin (RIC) def. No player (WOR), by forfeit