BOSTON, Mass. – The Western New England women's tennis team took all three doubles matches and the first four doubles matches to be completed as the Golden Bears cracked the win column for the first time in 2011 with an 8-1 win over Wentworth in Commonwealth Coast Conference action.
Junior Caitlin Hughes (Springfield, Mass.) and senior Nicole DeSimone (Feeding Hills, Mass.) took an 8-3 decision over Wentworth senior Joanna Gustafson (Ashburnham, Mass.) and junior Sophie Boyce (South Portland, Maine). Freshman Valerie Conway (Cumberland, R.I.) teamed with sophomore Kelsey Grode (Fairview, Pa.) at number three doubles to take an 8-4 decision over sophomore Olivia Hegner (Medford, Mass.) and freshman Virginia Ofer (Cooperstown, N.Y.). The Golden Bears completed the sweep with a 9-8 win at number two when seniors Christina Barbarisi (Feeding Hills, Mass.) and Lori Pagliano (Milford, Conn.) defeated sophomore Deborah Massaro (Stony Point, N.Y.) and junior Jillian Flynn (Billerica, Mass.), 8-4.
Hughes swept Hegner, 6-0, 6-0, at number two before Barbarisi clinched the match with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Gustafson at number one singles. The Golden Bears built their lead to 7-0 behind DeSimone defeating Massaro at number three and Conway edging Ofer in three sets.
Flynn picked up the Leopards' lone point with a three-set win (7-5, 4-6, 1-0 (10-2)) win at number five before junior Alysha Lesiuer (Monroe, Conn.) closed out the match with a 6-7, 7-5, 1-0 (10-5) win over junior Lana Ho (Vineyard Haven, Mass.).
With the win Western New England improves to 1-2 overall (1-2 CCC). The Golden Bears host Springfield on Thursday. Wentworth falls to 3-2 (2-2) and is at Emmanuel on Tuesday.
Singles competition
1. Christina Barbarisi (WNE) def. Joanna Gustafson (WIT) 6-3, 6-2
2. Caitlin Hughes (WNE) def. Olivia Hegner (WIT) 6-0, 6-0
3. Nicole DeSimone (WNE) def. Deborah Massaro (WIT) 6-3, 6-2
4. Alysha Lesieur (WNE) def. Lana Ho (WIT) 6-7 (3-7), 7-5, 1-0 (10-5)
5. Jillian Flynn (WIT) def. Lori Pagliano (WNE) 7-5, 4-6, 1-0 (10-2)
6. Valerie Conway (WNE) def. Virginia Ofer (WIT) 4-6, 7-6, 1-0 (10-4)
Doubles competition
1. Caitlin Hughes/Nicole DeSimone (WNE) def. Joanna Gustafson/Sophie Boyce (WIT) 8-3
2. Christina Barbarisi/Lori Pagliano (WNE) def. Deborah Massaro/Jillian Flynn (WIT) 9-8 (7-4)
3. Valerie Conway/Kelsey Grode (WNE) def. Olivia Hegner/Virginia Ofer (WIT) 8-4
Match Notes:
Western New England 1-2, 1-2 CCC
Wentworth 3-2, 2-2 CCC
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (2,1,3,6,5,4)
Official: Anne Girian