Panthers roll to fourth straight win

            PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The Plymouth State University women's tennis team earned its fourth straight win Thursday night, defeating Lyndon State College, 9-0, in a non-conference match at the Holderness School Courts.

            The Panthers haven't given up a point in two straight matches and have won seven-of-eight contests dating back to early September. With the victory PSU moves to 9-3 on the season, while Lyndon State ends the year with a 1-12 mark.

            Head coach Barbara Rawlsky-Willett was pleased with the Panthers' performance. "We were solid in all areas today," she praised. "It was a beautiful day for tennis."

            Rawlsky-Willett was able to take advantage of her deep roster, limiting each player to just a single match on the day. Freshman Jenna Sundquist (Monument Beach, Mass.) paired with junior Megan Wheeler (Manchester, N.H.) at No. 1 doubles, where the duo cruised to an 8-0 win. Freshman Emily Hill (New Hartford, Conn.) and classmate Melissa Pellegrino (Cranston, R.I.) teamed up for an 8-1 win at No. 3 doubles, and the tandem of freshman Chloe Knapp (Jamestown, N.Y.) and sophomore Alex Dunn (Jaffrey, N.H.) were leading 3-0 at No. 2 doubles when their Lyndon State counterparts retired.

            In singles play, junior Irene Kigugu (Concord, N.H.) won at No. 1 by a 6-2, 6-2 score, with freshman Kerstin Venincasa (Sutton, Mass.) taking No. 2 by a score of 6-1, 6-0. Freshman Sage Winter (New Castle, N.H.) was leading at No. 3 singles by a 1-0 margin when her opponent retired, as the Panthers had already secured the match. Junior Lily O'Connor (Salem, N.H.) earned a straight sets win at No. 4 singles, 6-3, 6-0, while junior Kelley Corson (Exeter, N.H.) and sophomore Sydney Welch (Brockport, N.Y.) didn't drop a game as they came away with identical 6-0, 6-0 wins at No. 5 and No. 6 singles respectively.

            The Panthers hope to carry their recent string of good play into a key Little East Conference match this weekend. PSU will travel to UMass Dartmouth for a 1:00 p.m. match on Saturday. The Panthers and the Corsairs are currently tied for fourth place in the LEC with identical 4-2 records.

– 30 –