NEWPORT, R.I. - For the second consecutive dual match, Salve Regina University women's tennis had darkness suspend play before a team decision had been reached. Hosting Nichols College in The Commonwealth Coast Conference meeting last Thursday, only five matches completed (with the Bison leading 3-2) before darkness halted play on four other singles courts at 6:38 p.m.

The teams resumed the remaining four matches Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. and Salve Regina earned the first three decisions for the team victory, 5-4.

Nichols enjoyed a 2-1 lead after doubles with juniors Maria Balabanova (Moscow, Russia) and Molly McGuire (East Sandwich, Mass.) taking an 8-1 decision at No. 2 doubles. Kelsey Urbanetti (Glastonbury, Conn.) and Deirdre Watkins (Hubbardston, Mass.) rallied for an 8-6 win at No. 3 doubles.

Salve Regina's Erin Phillips and Jessica Timpano thwarted a Bison sweep when they rallied from 6-1 and 7-3 deficits to win 9-7.

Seahawk senior captain Jessica Smith pulled her team even when she won in straight sets at No. 3 singles before McGuire's victory at No. 2 singles put the Bison back ahead. Both teams played three other dual matches on their respective schedules before resuming this league battle in Newport.

On Wednesday, sophomore Kristen Romano broke serve twice in the second set for a 7-5 set score and evened the match score at 3-all. Seconds later, freshman Nichol Stevens finished her victory at No. 4 singles in straight sets and the Seahawks had their first lead. Senior Stefi Carrell broke her opponent's serve in the third and ninth games of the third set to clinch the team victory for Salve Regina.

Bison senior Jessica Porter (Melrose, Mass.) earned her team's final point with a third-set tiebreak victory, rallying in the set from a 3-0 deficit.

With the victory, Salve Regina (7-3; 7-2 TCCC) clinched the third seed in The Commonwealth Coast Conference playoffs and will host the sixth seed on Tuesday, October 14 (2 p.m.). The Seahawks finish the regular season at Regis College on Saturday (10 a.m.) while Nichols (10-4; 6-3 TCCC) plays at second-place Endicott College.

Salve Regina 5, Nichols 4

 Singles competition

1. Jessica Porter (NC) def. Erin Phillips (SRU) 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (8-6)

2. Molly McGuire (NC) def. Jessica Timpano (SRU) 6-3, 6-0

3. Jessica Smith (SRU) def. Chelsey Miller (NC) 6-3, 6-3

4. Nichol Stevens (SRU) def. Maria Balabanova (NC) 7-6 (7-4), 6-3

5. Stefi Carrell (SRU) def. Kelsey Urbanetti (NC) 4-6, 6-1, 6-3

6. Kristen Romano (SRU) def. Deirdre Watkins (NC) 6-2, 7-5

 Doubles competition

1. Erin Phillips/Jessica Timpano (SRU) def. Chelsey Miller/Jessica Porter (NC) 9-7

2. Maria Balabanova/Molly McGuire (NC) def. Elise Jones/Jessica Smith (SRU) 8-1

3. Kelsey Urbanetti/Deirdre Watkins (NC) def. Stefi Carrell/Valerie Leso (SRU) 8-6

Match Notes:

Nichols 10-4; 6-3 TCCC

Salve Regina 7-3; 7-2 TCCC

Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (3,2,6,4,5,1)

Dual match began on Thu., Oct. 2, then was suspended after five completed matches; resumed on Wed., Oct. 8 and Salve Regina clinched with Stefi Carrell's three-set victory