NEWPORT, R.I. – Rhode Island won its third straight match via a shutout, knocking off Sacred Heart 5-0 Sunday night at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Since falling at NJIT 4-1 on February 15, the Rams (7-1) have not given up a point. Rhode Island won at Hofstra 4-0, Stonehill 4-0 and Sacred Heart 5-0.

After sweeping all three doubles matches, Rhode Island got straight set wins at No. 1, No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 singles. Two of the matches ended simultaneously, giving URI the 5-0 victory.

Freshman Katharina Spieth defeated Ola Irla Bartyzel 6-4, 6-2 at No. 1 singles. It was her team-leading 12th consecutive victory. Earlier in the match, she and junior Nikki Fernando paired up for a 6-0 win at No. 1 doubles. For Fernando, it was her 44th career doubles win, just one shy of Kirsten and Tristany Leikem. The Leikhem sisters won 45 doubles matches from 2009-12, the most for any URI players dating back to 2010.

Fernando also picked up a dominant 6-0, 6-2 win at No. 3 singles over Olivia Kharkover. Fernando improved to 6-0 when playing at No. 3 singles.

Freshmen Grace Darcy and Anastasia Pettersson had wins at No. 4 and No. 5 singles, respectively. They also teamed up for a 6-3 win at No. 2 doubles. They are now 10-5 together in doubles action, giving them the team lead in wins. Pettersson's singles win was her 12 th of the year, tying her with Spieth for the team lead.

Sophie Herrman and Klara Nelander won 6-1 at No. 3 doubles. They also led their respective matches at No. 2 and No. 6 singles before play was halted because the Rams had clinched the match.

"Overall, it was a good weekend for the team," Rhode Island head coach Jonas Brobeck said. "We did a good job today setting the tone in doubles and carrying that momentum into singles. As a team, we are doing a lot of good things but there is still a lot of room for improvement."

Rhode Island has a pair of road matches against in-state rivals next weekend. The Rams play at Providence on Saturday, March 1 at 4:15 p.m. The next day, Rhody battles Brown at 1 p.m.

Rhode Island 5, Sacred Heart 0
Feb. 23, 2025
Singles
Katharina Spieth (URI) def. Ola Irla Bartyzel (SH); 6-4, 6-2
Sophie Herrman (URI) DNF vs. Aina Garriga (SH); 6-3, 3-0, DNF
Nikki Fernando (URI) def. Olivia Kharkover (SH); 6-0, 6-2
Grace Darcy (URI) def. Renee Sharma (SH); 6-1, 6-4
Anastasia Pettersson (URI) def. Ana Sofia Angeles Sánchez (SH); 6-2, 7-5
Klara Nelander (URI) DNF vs. Olivia Furrows (SH); 6-1, 5-1, DNF

Doubles
Nikki Fernando / Katharina Spieth (URI) def. Ola Irla Bartyzel / Aina Garriga (SH); 6-0
Grace Darcy / Anastasia Pettersson (URI) def. Olivia Zuba / Kiah James (SH); 6-3
Klara Nelander / Sophie Herrman (URI) def. Malena del Olmo / Kailin Gochna  (SH); 6-1