BRISTOL, R.I. (10/3/2026) - The Nichols College women's tennis team dropped a Conference of New England (CNE) match up to Roger Williams University, 7-0, Saturday afternoon.
The Bison fall to 2-4-1 overall and 2-2 in CNE play, while the Hawks improve to 10-0 overall and 5-0 in conference play.
Roger Williams opened the afternoon by taking all three doubles matches to claim a 1-0 lead. Pamela Gonzalez Vallardi and Erin Helly battled through a competitive No. 1 doubles match up, with Abarca and Gkeka ultimately falling to a 6-0 decision. At No. 2 doubles, the Hawks earned a 6-0 victory over Gianna Musumeci and Delaney Giesen, while Claire Dwyer and Ella Mancini defeated Cassie Rice and Julia Beaulieu, 6-2, at No. 3.Â
Gonzalez Vallardi provided the biggest battle of the afternoon for the Bison at No. 1 singles. The Nichols standout and Roger Williams' Valentina Abarca traded sets, with Abarca taking the opening set, 7-6 (2), before Gonzalez Vallardi answered with a 7-6 (4) victory in the second. The match ultimately came down to a 10-point super tiebreaker, where Abarca edged Gonzalez Vallardi, 10-2, to claim the point.
The Bison continued to fight throughout the remainder of the singles lineup but struggled to form momentum for a comeback against the Hawks, ultimately falling, 7-0.
Nichols College women's tennis will return to action home against Endicott College for their Staff & Faculty game as well as another CNE match up. Start time is set for 4:00 PM on the Robinson Tennis Courts.
DOUBLES
Abarca / Gkeka (Roger Williams) def. Gonzalez Vallardi / Helly (Nichols), 6-0
Buche / Palmer (Roger Williams) def. Musumeci / Giesen (Nichols), 6-0
Mancini / Dwyer (Roger Williams) def. Rice / Beaulieu (Nichols), 6-2
SINGLES
Abarca (Roger Williams) def. Gonzalez Vallardi (Nichols), 7-6 (2), 6-7 (4), 10-2
Gkeka (Roger Williams) def. Helly (Nichols), 6-0, 6-0
Buche (Roger Williams) def. Musumeci (Nichols), 6-0, 6-0
Mancini (Roger Williams) def. Giesen (Nichols), 6-1, 6-0
Palmer (Roger Williams) def. Maher (Nichols), 6-1, 6-0
Bernard (Roger Williams) def. Tingle (Nichols), 6-0, 6-0
