Providence, R.I.--Freshman Ethan Hoy (West Warwick, RI) clinched the match at No. 5 singles to lead Rhode Island College past intra-city rival Johnson & Wales, 5-4, in a non-conference contest played at the RIC Tennis Center on Tuesday afternoon. RIC senior Brett Taggart (North Kingstown, RI), playing in his last regular season home contest, was honored in a ceremony prior to the match as part of Senior Day.

THE BASICS

Rhode Island College 5, Johnson & Wales 4

(Rhode Island College 11-3 – The 11 wins ties a school record for most in a season)

(Johnson & Wales 3-6)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Johnson & Wales picked up the first point of the afternoon when sophomore Alexander Rohana (Providence, RI) and freshman Gunnar Mahoney (Honolulu, HI) teamed to post an 8-5 win over RIC freshman Cam Chadwick (Narragansett, RI) and junior Chandler Scott (Ashaway, RI) at No. 2 doubles.

• JWU senior Jack Hopkins (Hamilton, MA) and senior Robert Kliskey (Manchester, NH) then gave the visitors a 2-0 lead with a 9-8 win over RIC  junior captain Matthew Gambardella (West Warwick, RI) and Hoy at No. 3 doubles.

• RIC took the third and final doubles match at the No. 1 spot where Taggart and freshman Alex Bourque (North Smithfield, RI) recorded a 9-8 win over senior Ryan Schiele (Lusby, MD) and freshman Gianni Rodrigues (Milton, MA).

• RIC junior Alan Esposito (Clinton, CT) posted a (6-2, 6-2) win at No. 6 singles to tie the match and the club recorded a 3-2 advantage after a (6-2, 6-1) win from Gambardella over Mahoney at No. 4 singles.

• Chadwick defeated Schiele (6-1, 6-4) at No. 1 singles to give the hosts a 4-2 lead.

• RIC then secured the victory for the match with a (6-4, 7-5) win from Hoy over Hopkins at No. 5 to give 5-2 advantage.

• Rodrigues defeated Taggart (4-6, 6-3, 6-3) at No. 2 singles and Rohana posted a (6-4, 7-6) victory over Bourque at the No. 3 spot to close out the day's action.

WHAT'S NEXT

• In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will play at Suffolk on Thursday, April 26 (6 p.m.).