Jervasi and Solomon a Dynamic Duo on and off the Court

 By Rebecca Patenaude 

It feels like yesterday to the two girls as they remember moving into Bryant the first day of freshman year.  They recall moving all of their belongings, packed in suitcases and plastic bins, to the fourth floor of Hall 15, covering the cinderblock walls with photos of their friends and family, and the mixed emotions that filled their minds as they met the girls next door and said goodbye to their parents.

It is hard to believe that four years has gone by since that day, and the relationship that has formed between the two girls with a deep passion for tennis and competition. 

Their journey together began when Annette Jervasi, from Colchester, CT and Sacha Solomon from Bourne, MA traveled at the young age of 11 to Indianapolis, Indiana to take part in a round robin tennis tournament where they earned great recognition as a doubles pair.  Throughout their teenage years they continued to play in tennis tournaments together throughout the northeast and remained in close contact. 

"I think our similar backgrounds helped us become so close," said Jervasi as she reminisces about her childhood tournaments. 

As tennis remained a central part in each of their lives they were recruited by similar universities.

Annette Jervasi

"We had to choose between division I and division II schools," says Solomon.  "Each school offered scholarships but Bryant offered a solid balance between school, tennis and a social life."

When it came time to look at colleges, the two girls went on many recruiting trips separately and together.  As decision time grew closer, each decided to attend Bryant separately, but knowing they would be on the same team made that transition from high school to college much easier. 

"We both knew we would be successful, and we wanted to help each other reach our goals with tennis and to lead the team," says Solomon. 

The girls did just that as they competed as doubles partners their four years at Bryant.  Since their freshman year they have earned either first or second team conference honors and only lost a total of three matches as a pair.   They attribute success on the court to their previous years of playing together. 

"We've come to know what shots each other will take and can push each other when we need it," says Jervasi.

"Because we knew each other from before, it was that much easier to ‘get in the groove' as a doubles team," says Solomon.

They also have achieved great success as individuals. 

As a freshman, Solomon took center stage as she played in the number one singles' position and remained there for all four years of her college career.  She has received numerous accolades, including an appearance in Sports Illustrated and was named three-time Northeast-10 Player of the Year in her first three seasons. 

A powerful player herself, Jervasi did not let her teammate and close friend outshine her.  She has excelled in the number three singles' spot, helping her team win the Northeast-10 title as a freshman, sophomore, and junior.  The Bulldogs also qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2006, and advanced to the second round before falling to Kutztown University.    

As seniors, they will be playing in the number one and two positions, and both hope to bring home the tournament title for the fourth year in a row.  Jervasi can't help but grin as she describes how exciting it would be to host the NCAA tournament at Bryant. 

"It would be a rewarding end to four years of hard work to host the NCAA regionals our senior year."

Sacha Solomon

With graduation only four months away, Jervasi and Solomon both have plans for the future but keep tennis close to their heart.  Jervasi will move on to Boston to work for Price Waterhouse Cooper starting in September.  She feels her time here at Bryant and being part of a team has helped her once shy self, build into a self-confident and outgoing person on and off the court. 

"Growing up on the tennis court I learned to rely on myself.  Competing has helped me improve my self-confidence level and made me who I am today."

Solomon is currently interviewing and hopes to land a sales position somewhere on the east coast.   She also feels that her experience on the Bryant tennis team has helped her become an organized person juggling both academics and athletics. 

Both girls plan on always remaining active in the tennis community. 

"I can't imagin a day when tennis is not a huge part of my life," says Jervasi.

As they look toward the future they will always fondly remember their time here at Bryant and the memories they have from the court. 

"Tennis is such an individual sport and college is the only time I got to be part of a team," says Jervasi.  "It's nice to have that support and learn from other's different play styles and strengths."

 Solomon couldn't agree more with her teammate and friend. 

"With 3000 kids at one school, it was nice to have teammates and bond with other athletes on campus."

As this dynamic duo head their separate ways, both will always remember their time on the court at Bryant, and how a best friend will always have one's back on and off the court.