BARRINGTON — The superb bounce-back season for the East Providence High School girls’ tennis team came to an end Friday afternoon, Oct. 17, with a 4-0 loss to North Smithfield in the Division III championship tournament semifinals at the Barrington High School courts.
The unbeaten Northwomen, 14-0 and the top seed in the tournament, won three singles matches and another at first doubles to close out the victory and advance to the championship match.
At first singles North’s Gabby Lafond defeated the Townies’ Tess Amore, 6-1 and 6-4. Hailey Raskobbeat E.P.’s bagged Jena Pothier, 6-0 and 6-0, at No. 2. And at the third spot, North’s Jessica Blakemore bettered Michelle Phillips, 6-4 and 6-3. The Northwomen’s No. 1 doubles pairing of Tracy Ayotte-Alexis LaBelle helped clinch the overall win for their side with a 1-and-3 victory over the Townies’ duo of Sabrina Yachkouri-Grace Voll.
For East Providence, seeded fourth in the playoffs and 4-1 winners over Tiverton in the previous round, its season came to an end with an 11-3 overall record a far cry from a year ago when the Townies went just 2-10 and failed to make the playoffs while competing in Division II.
The Northwomen were scheduled to meet second-seeded Chariho (13-1) for the league title Saturday, Oct. 18, at Slater Park. The Chargers earned their date against North Smithfield with a 4-1 win over third-seeded Woonsocket Friday.
