PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The top-seeded Rhode Island College women’s tennis team continued its reign over the Little East Conference (LEC), winning its conference-record fifth consecutive tournament title with a 5-1 victory over second-seeded Bridgewater State University Saturday at the RIC Tennis Center.
 
The Anchorwomen improved to 16-0 for the season, and secured the LEC’s automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament, which will be contested in May 2022. This marks the LEC-record 11th tournament title win for Rhode Island College.
 
RIC took a 2-1 following doubles play. The No. 2 pair of Serena Bobola and Lauren Macera got the Anchorwomen on the board with an 8-2 win over BSU’s tandem of Vanessa Rosa and Olivia Sweeney, while RIC’s top-pair of Jenna Lisi and Victoria Vittori were 8-5 victors over the Bears’ team of Abigail Ramer and Madeline Von Ruden.
 
Bridgewater State’s No. 3 pairing of Mackenzie Silveira and Brianna Venditti pulled the Bears (13-3) back within one heading into singles play, posting an 8-6 win over the Anchorwomen’s pairing of Amara Devine and Amiah Sommer.
 
RIC’s lead grew to 3-1 after Lisi cruised to a 6-0, 6-1 win over Von Ruden at No. 1 singles, and was extended to 4-1 with Sarah Gonick’s 6-3, 6-0 win over Allison Carter at No. 6 singles. Bobola then closed out the match with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Venditti to clinch the tournament title for the Anchorwomen.
 
Bobola was name the 2021 LEC Championship Tournament Most Outstanding Player after going a combined 4-0 in RIC’s two tournament wins, and securing the match clinching point in both the semifinals and final.