NEWPORT, R.I. – Rhode Island won its third straight match in strong fashion, winning five singles matches in straight sets while defeating Fairfield 6-1 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame Saturday night.

Katharine Spieth, Nikki Fernando, Grace Darcy, Anastasia Pettersson and Klara Nelander all won their singles matches as the Rams improved to 3-0. Rhode Island has yet to lose a match in slots No. 3-6 in singles action.

Spieth and Nelander gave Rhode Island its most decisive wins on the day. Both gave up just one game, as Spieth beat Fairfield's Victoria Mandma 6-0, 6-1 at No. 1 singles, and Nelander recorded a 6-1, 6-0 win over Lily Malinowski.

Fernando followed suit at No. 3 singles, beating Fairfield's Sarah Liu 6-1, 6-1 at No. 3 singles.

Rhody's freshmen duo of Darcy and Pettersson won competitive matches at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively. Darcy held up in both sets, knocking off Nicolette Loeffler 7-5, 7-6 (4). Petterson beat Maria Gell 6-3, 7-6 (7), outlasting Gell in the second set to avoid a tiebreaking superset.

Rhode Island is right back in action Sunday when it hosts Nichols at the Hall of Fame. The match begins at 5:45 p.m.


Rhode Island 6, Fairfield 1
Feb. 1, 2025
Singles
Katharina Spieth (URI) def. Victoria Mandma (FAIR); 6-0, 6-1
Annna Neyestani (FAIR) def. Sophie Herrman (URI); 6-4, 4-6, 12-10
Nikki Fernando (URI) def. Sarah Liu (FAIR); 6-1, 6-1
Grace Darcy (URI) def. Nicolette Loeffler (FAIR); 7-5, 7-6 (4)
Anastasia Pettersson (URI) def. Maria Gell (FAIR); 6-3, 7-6 (7)
Klara Nelander (URI) def. Lily Malinowski (FAIR); 6-1, 6-0
                                                                                         
Doubles
Nikki Fernando / Katharina Spieth (URI) def. Maria Gell / Nicolette Loeffler (FAIR); 6-3
Sarah Liu / Victoria Madma   (FAIR) def. Grace Darcy / Anastasia Petterson (URI); 7-5
Klara Nelander / Sophie Herrman (URI) def. Maeve Cassidy / Anna Neyestani (FAIR); 7-5