Vikings down Panthers on strength at doubles 

            PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Salem State University won two of the three doubles matches Saturday afternoon and that proved to be the difference as the Vikings defeated Plymouth State University, 5-4, in a Little East Conference women's tennis match at the P.E. Center Courts.

            The two teams split the six singles matches but Salem State had taken a 2-1 lead in doubles.  The final two singles matches went to three sets but PSU could pull out only one of the two and the Vikings held on for the win.  Salem State remains unbeaten at 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the LEC, while PSU evens its record at 3-3 overall and 2-2 in conference play.

            Junior Patricia Quartararo (Lexington, Mass.) was the only double winner for Salem State, taking the No. 5 singles match and teaming up with sophomore Anna Yaskell (Stockholm, Sweden) for a victory at No. 3 doubles.  Junior Lauren Turenne (Reading, Mass.) and sophomore Jessica Spinale (Saugus, Mass.) were singles winners for the Vikings at No. 2 and No. 6, respectively, as both remained undefeated (5-0) on the season.  Senior Alicia Poore (Stoneham, Mass.) and sophomore Michelle McEwen (Billerica, Mass.) took the No. 1 doubles match, 8-6.

            Sophomore Rachel Figura (Cheshire, Conn.) and junior Lydia Smith (Marblehead, Mass.) were double winners for PSU, including a victory together at No. 2 doubles.  Figura earned a decision at No. 3 singles, winning 7-5 in the third set, and Smith remained undefeated (6-0) on the season at No. 4 singles.  Sophomore Sara Burke (Barrington, R.I.) had an impressive showing for the Panthers with a straight-set triumph at No. 1 singles.

            After playing five of its first six matches this season at home, PSU is on the road for its next three, beginning Tuesday at Colby-Sawyer College (4:00 p.m.)  Salem State visits Gordon College Monday at 3:30 p.m. 

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