NEWPORT, R.I. - Freshman Sophie Herrman clinched the team win for Rhode Island with her straight-set victory at No. 3 singles as the Rams defeated Bucknell 4-2 in the first match of the spring Sunday afternoon.

It was a tight match throughout, with both teams getting solid performances. URI got off to a strong start by taking the doubles point. Junior Klara Nelander and freshman Ava Granja won at No. 3 doubles, 6-3, before Herrman and junior Valentina Cvackova paired up for a 6-4 win at No. 1 doubles to give the Rams the team point.

Rhody senior Paulina Loredo won by default at No. 6 singles to put Rhode Island in front, 2-0. Freshman Nikki Fernando's dominant 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 4 singles put URI one point away from clinching the match.

Bucknell closed the gap by winning the matches at the top two singles spots. Herrman removed any thoughts of a Bucknell rally, as she defeated Tyne Miller in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3. With her victory, Herrman improved to 3-0 overall when playing in the No. 3 singles spot.

Rhode Island is back in action with a pair of matches next weekend. The Rams play at Boston University on Friday, Feb. 3 at 1 p.m. before visiting Siena on Sunday, Feb. 5,  


Rhode Island 4, Bucknell 2

Doubles
Valentina Cvackova/Sophie Herrman (URI) def. Whitney King/Tyne Miller; 6-4
Kate Novak/Anna Lajos (BUCK) led Nadia Rajan/Nikki Fernando; 5-4, did not finish
Klara Nelander/Ava Grnja (URI) def. Caroline Marcus/Mirra Manolov; 6-3

Order of finish - 3, 1 

Singles
Whitney King (BUCK) def. Nadia Rajan; 6-3, 0-6, 10-6
Anna Lajos (BUCK) def. Valentina Cvackova; 6-2, 6-0
Sophie Herrman (URI) def. Tyne Miller; 6-1, 6-3
Nikki Fernando (URI) def. Kate Novak; 6-0, 6-0
Klara Nelander (URI) led Mirra Manolov; 6-4, 2-2, did not finish
Paulina Loredo (URI) def. Caroline Marcus, default

Order of finish - 6, 4, 2, 1, 3