WEST HARTFORD, Conn. -- The Bridgewater State University women's tennis team opened the 2024 season with a 5-2 victory over the University of Saint Joseph on Saturday afternoon at the Elizabeth Ferry Speer Tennis Complex.

The match marked the season-opener for both teams.

The visiting Bears captured two of the three doubles flights to earn the doubles point, and secured the victory with four wins in singles competition.

In doubles play, senior Madeline Von Ruden (Ashley Falls, Mass.) and graduate student Mackenzie Silveira (Middletown, R.I.) teamed up for an 8-6 win at number one for the visitor, while the BSU freshman tandem of Sarah Pothier (Rochester, Mass.) and Morgan Smith (Taunton, Mass.) combined for an 8-4 victory at the third flight. Pothier and Smith were both making their collegiate debuts.

Freshmen Maddie Rossetti (Hamden, Conn.) and freshman Shelly Sirisavath (East Hartford, Conn.) gave the host Blue Jays their lone doubles victory with an 8-1 triumph at the second flight.

In singles play, Pothier cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 straight set win at number four to increase the Bears' advantage to 2-0.

After Sirisavath got the Blue Jays on the board with a 6-0, 6-3 decision at the third flight, BSU sophomore Samantha Bettencourt (Tiverton, R.I.) answered with a 6-2, 6-2 straight set win at number five. Von Ruden then secured the decisive fourth point for the Bears with a 6-4, 6-2 straigh set victory in the top flight singles battle.

Freshman Aislyn Kelliher (Plymouth, Mass.), who was also making her collegiate debut for the Bears, won in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2, at number six singles to make it a 5-1 match.

Rossetti rounded out the scoring with a 6-3, 6-4 decision at the second flight.

In upcoming action, the Bears host Regis College on Tuesday afternoon at 3:30.