PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Trailing by a point after doubles play, the Plymouth State University women's tennis team won four of six singles matches to sneak past Salem State University, 5-4, in a Little East Conference (LEC) women's tennis
Senior Day match at the Bank of New Hampshire Field House at ALLWell North on Saturday afternoon.
With the win, Plymouth State finishes the regular season in a three-way tie for fourth in the final LEC standings. The Panthers will be the fourth seed for next week's LEC Tournament, after the application of the league tie-break rules. In a twist of fate, PSU will face off against the same Vikings' squad in the opening round match on Tuesday (Oct. 15).
With the score tied at 3-3, senior
Elena Cardoso (Hudson, Mass.) held on for a three-set win at No. 4 singles and sophomore
Sofia Orama (Marlborough, Conn.) would secure the win with a 6-3, 6-1 decision at No. 6, after the Vikings had again pulled even.
Prior to the match, the Panthers honored Cardoso and senior
Tessa LaBarre (North Smithfield, R.I.), who were playing in the final regular season home matches of their careers.
Plymouth State improves to 5-5 (4-4 LEC), while the Vikings end the regular season at 7-5 (4-4 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 5, Salem State 4
- Plymouth State (5-5, 4-4 LEC)
- Salem State (7-5, 4-4 LEC)
How it Happened:
- The day began well enough as Cardoso and junior Alyssa Craigie (Gilford, N.H.) cruised to an 8-0 win at No. 2 doubles.
- The Vikings took No. 1 doubles, 8-2, and held off Orama and sophomore Maddie Lorenz (Jefferson, N.H.), 8-6, at No. 3 doubles to snag a 2-1 lead.
- Craigie claimed a 6-0, 6-2 win at No. 3 singles and LaBarre outlasted her opponent at No. 2 singles for a 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 win to put the Panthers ahead.
- Sophomore Chloe Ahern (Middleton, Mass.) put up a fight at No. 1, but a 7-5, 6-4 decision for the Vikings even the slate at 3-3.
- Cardoso gutted out a 6-1, 2-6, 6-2 win at No. 4 that built momentum for the Panthers, though once again Salem State battled back with a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 5.
- With the No. 6 singles match set to determine the outcome, Orama bulldozed her way to a 6-3, 6-1 win to secure the victory.
By the Numbers:
- Orama has been a powerhouse at No. 6, where she's posted a 7-3 record for the year.
- Cardoso is second on the team with six singles wins.
- Plymouth State finished 4-4 in the LEC for the third straight year.
- Plymouth State holds a 27-7 advantage in the all-time series.
- The Panthers have won each of the last 14 meetings.
- PSU has made the LEC Tournament each of the last 11 years.
Up Next:
- Fourth-seeded Plymouth State hosts fifth-seeded Salem State for the first round of the LEC Tournament on Tuesday (Oct. 15). First serve is set for 3:00 p.m.
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