April 17, 2008

KINGSTON, R.I. - The sixth-seeded Rhode Island women's tennis team heads to the 2008 Atlantic 10 Championship, this weekend at Club 4 Life in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Rams will take on 11th-seed Dayton in the first round Friday, April 18 at 1 p.m.

Rhody enters the tournament with an overall record of 15-6 and a 3-1 mark against Atlantic 10 teams.

Freshman Christen Cadigan has led the way for the Rams this season, posting a 25-9 record in singles and moving up from No. 4 in the fall to No. 2 in the spring. Sophomore Amanda Barletta is just behind her with a 22-8 singles record and a team best 24-10 mark in doubles. Rhody's No. 1 player, sophomore Nyssa Peele, heads to the A-10's with 19 singles wins and 18 doubles victories.

"We are likely to have three good, tough matches in Pittsburgh," said head coach Sandy Wood. "The No. 6 seed is the highest we have been ranked during my four-year tenure here at URI and I think that speaks volumes about these girls. They've got such a great work ethic and are constantly striving to get better which is evident in receiving the sixth seed. We were 14th (last) my first year here, before improving to 11th and then seventh last season. Its nice to see that kind of improvement!"

If URI defeats UD in the first round of play, the Rams will face the winner of third-seeded Richmond vs. 14th-seeded La Salle at 6 p.m., Friday night.

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HEAD COACH: SANDY WOOD

• 401-874-2867

• abwood@cox.net

WOMEN'S TENNIS LINKS

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