Hawks Topple Vikings 8-1
SALEM, Mass. -- Anastasia Startseva (Volksburg, Russia) picked up the lone point for Salem State (0-1) against Roger Williams as she opened the 2021 season with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Emma Place (Francestown, N.H.) at first singles in the Hawks' 8-1 victory at the Central Campus Tennis Courts on Tuesday.
Roger Williams (2-0) swept doubles play depsite a strong showing from Startseva and Alexandria Floyd (Burlington, Mass.) at first doubles. The pair lost a hard-fought contest 8-6 to Alessia Cahoon (Dedham, Mass.) and Place. Gianna Ferraro (Westerly, R.I.) and Olivia Santoro (Cheshire, Conn.) defeated Daphne Pineda (Lynn, Mass.) / Samantha Tenney (Danvers, Mass.) 8-1 at second doubles before Kate Hardy (Southington, Conn.) / Gracie McCarthy (Marion, Mass.) shut out Abbie Laliberte (Gardner, Mass.) / Miah Reyes (Raytown, Mo.) 8-0.
The Hawks took five-of-six singles matches, with Ferraro, DiCesare and Cassie Liu earning straight set wins without relinquishing a point at third, fourth and sixth singles respectively. Cahoon beat Floyd 6-0, 6-1 at second singles while McCarthy won 6-0, 6-2 over Reyes at fifth singles.