BOSTON, Mass. - The Western New England College women's tennis team ended its regular season in fine fashion with a convincing 8-1 decision over host Wentworth Institute of Technology Saturday afternoon (Oct. 11).

The Golden Bears improved to 9-5 overall and finished in a three-way tie for fourth place in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) with a 6-4 mark.

Coach Jenn Kolin's squad earned the sixth seed for the playoffs and will visit third-seeded Salve Regina (8-3, 8-2) at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 14) in a quarterfinal round match of conference tournament.

In today's action, junior Kristen Ayers (Acton, MA) led the Golden Bears with a 6-2, 6-4 win at No. 1 singles.

Freshman Jessica Haffner (Suffield, CT) captured her No. 3 singles match with a 6-4, 6-1 victory, and teamed with junior Kelly Murnane (Cheshire, CT) for an 8-3 win at No. 2 doubles. Murnane also took her No. 4 singles flight.

Also winning for the Golden Bears were freshman Christina Barbarisi (Feeding Hills, MA) at No. 5 singles and junior Colleen Swan (Milford, CT) at No. 6 singles after taking the tie-breaker (10-8). 

Swan and junior Victoria Pratt (Stanfordville, NY) also took their No. 3 doubles flight.

Senior captain Nicole Freed (Jersey Shore, PA) also had a fine afternoon winning her No. 2 singles match 6-1 and 6-0. She and Ayers played well despite dropping a marathon 9-8 (10-8) verdict at No. 1 doubles.

The Leopards ended their season 3-10 overall and 2-8 in the conference.