Panthers improve to 7-0, best start in program history

            HOLDERNESS, N.H.  – The Plymouth State University women's tennis team kept its undefeated season alive Saturday afternoon with a 6-3 victory over the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in a Little East Conference match at the Holderness School Courts.

            The Panthers are now 7-0 overall this fall, the best start to a season in the program's history, and 3-0 in Little East matches.  The Corsairs, who fall to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in conference play, are just the second team this season to not get shut out by the Panthers.

            PSU got more strong outings at the top of the line-up with the Jakubas sisters, Zara and Sunny (Califon, N.J./Voorhees). They combined for an 8-1 triumph at No. 1 doubles, and each coasted to straight-set victories at No.1 and No. 2 singles, respectively.  Zara is 7-0 in singles this season and Sunny and 6-1, and they are 7-0 at No. 1 doubles.

            Freshman Cassidy Wells (Colchester, Vt.) was also a double-winner for PSU. She teamed with senior Rosalie DiRado (Gansevoort, N.Y.) for an 8-4 win at No. 3 doubles, and Wells added a straight-set win at No. 3 singles. Wells is also undefeated in singles this fall, and 5-1 in doubles play. PSU's final win came from junior Nitsa Ioannides (El Cajon, Calif.) at No. 5 singles, where she improved her record to 7-0.

            Sophomore Rosalie Kimba (Milford, Mass.) was a double-winner for the visitors. She won her No. 6 singles match 6-1, 6-1, after teaming with classmate Jillian Reichart (Marion, Mass.) for a victory at No. 2 doubles.  Freshman Kheyla Orival (Woburn, Mass.) also registered a triumph at No. 4 singles.

            PSU is back on the court Wednesday with an LEC match at Salem State University (3:30 p.m.) while UMD plays again Tuesday at Suffolk University (6:00 p.m.) 

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