SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Playing for the second time in as many days, the Bryant University women's tennis team closed out its trip to the U.S. Naval Academy with a 6-1 victory over Norfolk State on Sunday in Annapolis, Md. 

The Bulldogs, looking to bounce back from a loss to Navy Saturday, did so with a strong effort starting with a sweep of doubles play to open the match, and taking five of six singles matches.

Leading 1-0 after doubles, the Bulldogs got strong efforts from Claudia Hidalgo who rolled to a quick 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles followed by a great performance by freshman May Vickers who won 6-4, 6-0 at No. 4 singles.

Irma Rodriguez-Lockwood (No. 6) and Lucy Bird (No. 2) followed with wins, setting up a hard-earned win by Stephanie Smyers over Naeemah Brooks at No. 3 singles. Smyers battled from behind after dropping the first set, 6-2 to win the second, 6-4.  After battling for nearly two hours, Smyers outlasted Brooks with an emotional 10-5 win in the decider to close out the day.

Bryant will travel to Hartford on Wednesday before returning home Saturday to host Manhattan at 10 am at the Bryant Tennis Courts.

Bryant University 6, Norfolk State 1
@ Annapolis, Md.

Singles competition
1. Claudia Hidalgo (BRYW) def. Jennifer Astbury (NORFOLK) 6-0, 6-0
2. Lucy Bird (BRYW) def. Gabriella Jonnson (NORFOLK) 6-2, 6-3
3. Stephanie Smyers (BRYW) def. Naeemah Brooks (NORFOLK) 2-6, 6-4, 10-5
4. May Vickers (BRYW) def. Chenge Tsapayi (NORFOLK) 6-4, 6-0
5. Rebecca Graff (NORFOLK) def. Katie Francazio (BRYW) 6-3, 6-1
6. I. Rodriguez-Lockw (BRYW) def. Maryna Kariuk (NORFOLK) 6-2, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Vickers/ Couto Cuervo (BRYW) def. Brooks/ Jonnson (NORFOLK) 8-3
2. Smyers/ Bird (BRYW) def. Astbury/ Graff (NORFOLK) 8-0
3. Hidalgo/I. Rodriguez-Lockw (BRYW) def. Tsapayi/Maryna Kariuk (NORFOLK) 8-2