Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: Sports

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The third seeded Bridgewater State Women's Tennis team headed to Salem State Sunday in the semi final round of the LEC tournament, looking for some revenge for a tough regular season loss, which at the time, dropped them out of the top spot in the Little East regular season standings.

The Lady Vikings had the home court advantage in the match but the Bears focus proved to be too much for the home squad and Bridgewater State, firing on all cylinders, took the match 5-1 to advance to the finals.

"Salem definitely deserved the win the first time we played them. On that day, we didn't play our best tennis, and they took advantage. This time we were on our game, giving it everything we had. When we are on our game, I think we're the best team in the LEC." Junior Co-Captain Jessica Francis said of the Bears post season revival.

Paramount to the Victory for BSC was getting off on the right foot with the doubles matches as the team has emphasized all year. The Bears took the first doubles match 8-6 curtesy of the Captain tandem of Lauren Donnelly and Francis. The second match went the way of BSC as well as Junior Rachel Elman and Senior Paulina Ucher finished off the Vikings respective tandem 8-2.

Finally the Bears earned a victory in the final doubles heat thanks to an 8-6 win by the duo of Senior Catarina Rosa and Sophomore Julie Kraby. This sweep in doubles earned Bridgewater State a quick 3 points requiring only two more points to close the match and secure the victory.

"We've stressed all throughout the season how important it is to sweep the doubles before going into singles competition. Sweeping doubles really paid off on Sunday and lead us to our exciting win." Francis explained.

The Bears were able to finish off Salem State quickly in the singles with the points coming from victories by Seniors Catarina Rosa (6-1, 6-4) and Paulina Ucher (6-2, 6-0) in their respective singles victories. The Bears may have found their stride in the first two rounds of the LEC tournament and are ready for the Title match.

Francis attributes righting the ship to the Bears will to win.

"Turning it around in Salem was a result of our focus, determination, and drive. We want to win more than any other team in the LEC, and it showed on Sunday." Said the Co-Captain.

Continued...

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