TRUMBULL, CONN- The visiting Rams of the University of Rhode Island captured the doubles point and won five of six singles matches to spoil the Sacred Heart University Women's Tennis home opener, handing the Pioneers a 6–1 loss Sunday evening at the Tennis Club of Trumbull.

After URI earned a 6–1 victory at No. 1 doubles, SHU battled in the remaining doubles matches. At No. 3 doubles, first-year Brooke Tuffs and Savita Bagirathan picked up a hard-fought 7–6 (7–4) win for the Pioneers. In the deciding match at No. 2 doubles, URI rallied from four match points down to defeat Malena del Olmo and Ava Nelson, 7–6 (8–6), clinching the doubles point for the Rams.

In singles play, straight-set victories at No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5 sealed the match for URI. Sophomore Kiah James earned Sacred Heart's lone point with a 7–5, 6–4 win at No. 6 singles. First-year Ava Nelson and sophomore Olivia Zuba each battled to three sets but came up short at No. 1 and No. 2 singles to round out the action.

The Pioneers return to the court next Friday night in Staten Island, where they will face Wagner. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.