2008 NCAA DIVISION II WOMEN'S TENNIS EAST REGIONAL
First Round hosted by Bryant University
Bryant 5, Philadelphi 3

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Bryant University women's tennis team advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the fourth consecutive time as the Bulldogs, the No. 2 seed of the East Regional, defeated the seventh-seeded Lady Rams in first round action Friday at Brown University's Pizzitola Center.  Bryant will advance to face either Slippery Rock or Holy Family on Saturday starting at 11 a.m. 

Bryant led 2-1 after doubles play to open the match.  The Bulldogs, competing in the NCAA tournament for the fifth-straight year, led 3-1 after a 6-0, 6-0 straight-set win by Katie Francazio (Cranston, R.I.) at No. 4 singles.  But Philadelphia made it close as Daniela Rodriguez (Quito, Ecuador; pictured) defeated Bryant's Chelsea Downing (Cherry Hills, Colo.), 6-3, 6-1 at No. 2 to make it 3-2.  Bryant's Emma Czarnecki (Huntington Woods, Mich.) made it 4-2 with a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 1 singles but the Rams' Adriana Rodriguez (San Juan, P.R.) earned a win at No.3 to make it 5-3.

Bryant freshman Valeria Couto Cuervo (Guaynabo, P.R.) clinched the match with a win over Christina Kettle (Chatham, N.J.), winning 7-6 (7-1), 6-0.

Doubles competition
1. Maddie Smith/Adriana Rodriguez (P) def. Emma Czarnecki/Chelsea Downing (B), 8-5
2. Valeria Couto Cuervo/Michelle Burke (B) def. Daniela Rodriguez/Christina Kettle (P), 8-1
3. Katharine Francazio/Lauren Mullen (B) def. Katie Stracquatanio/Stephanie Reinke (P), 8-1

Singles competition
1. Emma Czarnecki (B) def. Maddie Smith (P), 6-2, 6-1
2. Daniela Rodriguez (P) def. Chelsea Downing (B), 6-3, 6-1
3. Adriana Rodriguez (P) def. Michelle Burke (B), 6-3, 6-7 (1-7), 6-2
4. Katharine Francazio (B) def. Katie Stracquantanio (P), 6-0, 6-0
5. Valeria Couto Cuervo (B) def. Christina Kettle (P), 7-6 (7-1), 6-0
6. Lauren Mullen (B) vs. Stephanie Reinke (P), DNF

Records:  Bryant 24-2, Philadelphia 17-7

Order of finish: Doubles, 3-2-1; Singles, 4-2-1-3-5