Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Freshman Daniela Saldarriaga (Medellin, Colombia) earned two wins on the day as the Nichols College women's tennis team defeated Springfield 9-0 Thursday evening in non-conference action at the Appleton Courts.

This marks only the second time these two teams have met, with the Pride defeating the Bison last season 5-4.

The Bison got off to a strong start, sweeping through the doubles matches for the fourth consecutive match. Freshman Ashley Dallaire (East Bridgewater, Mass.) and Saldarriaga battled it out at No. 3 doubles before coming away with the victory over freshman Rachel Litchfield (Northbridge, Mass.) and sophomore Stephani Post (Westford, Mass.) 8-5.

Senior captain Lindsay Benoit (Holden, Mass.) and sophomore Cristina Szepanski (Windsor Locks, Conn.) seemingly had no trouble with juniors Melanie Thulin (Manchester Center, Vt.) and Ariana Shemms (Goshen, Conn.) at No. 2 doubles, winning the match 8-2.

At No. 1 doubles, the Pride played another close match but the Bison were able to pull away. Freshmen Alanna Judd (Westborough, Mass.) and Lauren Candia (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) knocked off sophomore Stephanie Foster (Woodbridge, Conn.) and her classmate Rachel London (Port Jefferson, N.Y.) 8-5.

Nichols (8-2) had no trouble in singles, winning each match in straight sets. Judd defeated London at No. 1 singles 6-0, 6-1 while in the No. 2 flight, Szepanski took down Foster 6-2, 6-0.

In No. 3 singles, Benoit got the best of Litchfield, winning 6-1, 6-3. Candia played a close first set with Thulin at No. 4 singlesbefore pulling away to take the match 6-4, 6-1.

Dallaire defeated Shemms at No. 5 singles 6-1, 6-2 while in the No. 6 flight, Saldarriaga defeated sophomore Kelsey Whelpley (Mastic Beach, N.Y.) 6-2, 6-2.

The Bison host Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) foe Western New England on Saturday for a 2:00 p.m. match. The Pride host Smith on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.