SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After leading off with a pair of big wins in doubles play, the Bryant University women's tennis team went on to sweep singles competition, taking all six matches in straight sets for a 7-0 victory over Valparaiso on Thursday to conclude the team's Spring Break trip in Puerto Rico.
The sophomore doubles tandem of Claudia Hidalgo (Guayaquil, Ecuador) and Lucy Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) continued to shine as the duo defeated Kristin Zakiewicz and Katie Bilyeu, 8-2, while the team of Valeria Couto Cuervo (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico) and Irma Rodriguez (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico) took third doubles, 8-4, to give the Bulldogs the early advantage.
Hidlago and Bird came back just as strong in singles competition as each swept their individual opponents by a score of 6-0, 6-0 to claim the first and second slots, respectively. A couple of Bryant rookies continued the attack as Stephanie Smyers (Pittsburgh, Pa.) downed Zakiewicz 6-2, 6-4 in No. 3 singles while May Vickers (Montrose, Colo.) topped Stephanie York 6-1, 6-2. Couto Cuervo and Katie Francazio (Cranston, R.I.) rounded out the singles sweep with straight set wins at the fifth and sixth spots, respectively.
The Black and Gold next return to the courts on Saturday, March 19 when they take on Hofstra at the East Hartford Racquet Club.
Bryant 7, Valparaiso 0
Singles competition
1. Claudia Hidalgo (BRYW) def. Brittany O'Reilly (VALPO) 6-0, 6-0
2. Lucy Bird (BRYW) def. Jackie O'Reilly (VALPO) 6-0, 6-0
3. Stephanie Smyers (BRYW) def. Kristin Zakiewicz (VALPO) 6-2, 6-4
4. May Vickers (BRYW) def. Stephanie York (VALPO) 6-1, 6-2
5. Valeria Couto Cuervo (BRYW) def. Katie Bilyeu (VALPO) 6-0, 6-1
6. Katharine Francazio (BRYW) def. Aubree Zdanovec (VALPO) 6-0, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Lucy Bird/Claudia Hidalgo (BRYW) def. Kristin Zakiewicz/Katie Bilyeu (VALPO) 8-2
2. Stephanie Smyers/May Vickers (BRYW) vs. Jackie O'Reilly/Stephanie York (VALPO) 6-3, unfinished
3. Valeria Couto Cuervo/I Rodriguez Lockwood (BRYW) def. Brittany O'Reilly/Aubree Zdanovec (VALPO) 8-4
