BULLDOG IMPROVE TO 6-2 OVERALL WITH VICTORY OVER HOFSTRA SATURDAY

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After a nearly a two week break, the Bryant University women's tennis team returned to action over the weekend topping Hofstra, 5-2, Saturday afternoon at the East Hartford Tennis Club.

In doubles play the duo of Devlin-Ann Ammendola (Massapequa, N.Y.) and Irma Rodriguez Lockwood (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico) topped Bianca Devrick/Paige Polizois, winning four-straight sets en route to an 8-5 victory. The combination of Rosie Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) and Lucy Bird (Hamilton, New Zealand) continued their strong play defeating Louise Lopez/Sonia Tsay, 8-4, to pick up the ever-important doubles point for Bryant.

In singles action, junior Stephanie Smyers (Pittsburg, Pa.) was the first to claim a singles point, beating Mallissa Gilanchi, 6-1, 6-1, to push the Bryant advantage to 2-0. Ammendola and senior Marcela Brandao (Santo Andre, Brazil) both dropped their singles matches to bring the score to an even 2-2 tie.

The Bulldogs would go on to win the final three matches led by Rosie Bird who picked up a huge 6-2, 6-3 victory over Tsay at number one singles. Junior Jessica May Vickers (Montrose, Colo.) earned a victory over Polizois, 6-4, 6-1, and Lucy Bird topped Devrick, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, in the fifth singles spot.

With the victory the Bulldogs improve to 6-2 overall. Bryant currently sits at 1-0 in Northeast Conference play with a trio of NEC matchups later this month. The Black and Gold will return to action on Saturday (6:30 p.m.) when they host Stony Brook at Rally Point as part of a Bryant tennis doubleheader.

For all the latest news on the Bryant University women's tennis team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.