Panthers extend winning streak to four straight

            JOHNSON, Vt. – The Plymouth State University women's tennis team pushed its winning streak to four straight matches thanks to a 9-0 win over Northern Vermont University-Johnson in a non-conference contest at the Johnson Tennis Courts on Monday afternoon.

            Sophomore Maggie McCarthy (Marion, Mass.) improved to 7-1 in doubles action as the Panthers swept pairs play for the second time in the last three outings.

            With the win Plymouth State improves to 6-2, while the Badgers fall to 3-4.

            The Basics:

            Plymouth State 9, NVU-Johnson 0

            Plymouth State 6-2

            NVU-Johnson 3-4

            How it Happened:

            * McCarthy teamed up with senior Irene Kigugu (Concord, N.H.) to get the Panthers off to a good start as the duo cruised to an 8-1 victory at No. 1 doubles.

            * Sophomores Jenna Sundquist (Monument Beach, Mass.) and Kerstin Venincasa (Sutton, Mass.), playing at No. 2 doubles for the first time this year, gave PSU a 2-0 lead after rolling to an 8-0 win.

            * The freshman tandem of Julie Miller (Woburn, Mass.) and Lexi Smith (Rindge, N.H.) made it a straight sweep of pairs play with an 8-6 win at No. 3.

            * Venincasa coasted to a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 4 singles and McCarthy clinched the team win with a straight sets victory at No. 1 (6-2, 6-2).

            * Kigugu (6-4, 6-0) controlled No. 2 singles, before freshman Brie Hada (Alton, N.H.) won at No. 5 by a 6-4, 6-3 margin.

            * Miller picked up a second point for the Panthers with an easy 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 6 and Sundquist completed the clean sweep with a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 3.  

            Inside the Numbers:

            * Venincasa improved to 5-2 in singles play. Her five wins lead senior Megan Wheeler (Manchester, N.H.) and Sundquist by one for the team lead.

            * McCarthy's seven doubles wins are tops on the team, just ahead of Sundquist and sophomore Sage Winter (New Castle, N.H.), who both have six.

            * This was just the fourth meeting between the two programs. Plymouth State has won all of them by identical 9-0 scores.

            Up Next:

            * PSU travels to Little East Conference foe Western Connecticut on Saturday (Sept. 29) for a 1:00 p.m. match.

            * The Badgers head to Plattsburgh State (N.Y.) on Thursday (Sept. 27) for a 4:00 p.m. contest.

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