DUDLEY, Mass. (September 25, 2024) – The Western New England women's tennis team earned a victory in the sixth singles spot, though would fall by a final score of 6-1 in their second Conference of New England (CNE) match of the season.

Records:

• Western New England: 2-3, 0-2 CNE
• Nichols College: 4-1, 2-0 CNE

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears would quicky go down in the top four singles spots, seeing Emma Miller, Catie Seklecki, Malina Dinis, and Sydney Shepard fall 6-0, 6-0 to the Bison top four in their lineup. Gabrielle Tirkot would pick up one point in the fifth singles spot though would not be able to come up with another point in the set, falling 6-1. In the longest match of the day, the sixth singles spot, Western New England senior captain Gianna Arace would win the opening set 6-3 before falling in the second set, 6-2, needing a third set to decide a winner. Arace would pull out a 10-7 third-set victory, earning Western New England their first point over the Bison since 2021.

The second doubles spot would nearly fall Western New England's way, though Yasmine Giacalone and Kayla Ledoux would drop a 6-5 (7-5) contest to fall. The Golden Bears would not be able to earn the extra doubles point after falling in doubles one and doubles three play. Dropping a 6-1 match decision.

Coaches Corner:

• A positive Head Coach Patrick Roche shined a spotlight on Gianna Arace following the match, saying, "Big win for our senior captain at position six." Roche also mentioned his second doubles pair, saying, "Two freshmen at number two doubles played amazing against a very tough team. Bodes well for the future."

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears are back on the road, making up last weekend's match against Gordon College on Friday, September 27 at 3:30 PM.