PLYMOUTH, N.H. - Saint Michael's College opened its season Wednesday afternoon with an 8-1 victory over Plymouth State University in non-conference women's tennis action at the P.E. Center Courts.

            The Purple Knights picked up from where they left off last season, when they enjoyed the finest campaign in school history, advancing to the NCAA Division II Tournament and finishing with a 15-7 overall record.

            Plymouth State played a strong match but fell to 1-2 on the season. The lone Panther victory came at No. 5 singles, where freshman Lydia Smith (Marblehead, Mass.) won in straight sets to improve her season record to 5-1.  Senior Meghan Rodier (Francestown, N.H.), at No. 1 singles, and sophomore Nikki Kolb (Gilford, N.H.), at No. 6 singles, each won a set for the Panthers but lost their matches on a third-set super-breaker.

            The top four Saint Michael's players won two matches apiece - sophomores Marybeth Ash (Westborough, Mass.) and Marran Ranks (Stratham, N.H.), junior Jackie Smullen (South Burlington, Vt.), and freshman Eileen Mullowney (Burlington, Vt.).  Sophomore Katarina Lisaius (Warren, Vt.) was also a double winner, including a victory with freshman Abby Miller (Cherry Hill, N.J.) at No. 3 doubles.

            PSU returns to Little East Conference action Saturday with a visit to UMass Dartmouth for a 1:00 p.m. match.  SMC returns home to host LeMoyne on Sunday in the home opener and the Northeast-10 Conference debut (9:00 a.m.)

-- 30 --