PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Leela Bakhshi (Plymouth, N.H.) picked up her first collegiate singles victory at No. 4 to help propel the Plymouth State University women's tennis team past the University of Maine at Augusta, 6-1, in the season opener for both schools at the Bank of New Hampshire Field House at ALLWell North on Thursday afternoon.
The Panthers and Moose played competitive matches at No.1 and No. 2 doubles, but Plymouth State came out on top in both to claim the doubles point. Though the Moose got a win at No. 1 singles, PSU claimed the remaining matches without dropping a set to complete the season-opening victory.
Plymouth State starts the year 1-0, while UMaine Augusta drops its opener.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 6, UMaine Augusta 1
- Plymouth State (1-0)
- UMaine Augusta (0-1)
How it Happened:
- The No. 2 doubles pairing of Bakhshi and sophomore Sidney Huff (Port Orchard, Wash.) got the afternoon started for the Panthers with a hard-fought 6-4 victory.
- The top-seeded pair of senior Chloe Ahern (Middleton, Mass.) and junior Lauryn Corrigan (Littleton, N.H.) clinched the doubles point for PSU in dramatic fashion, winning in a tiebreak, 7-6 (7-3).
- The No. 3 doubles pairing of seniors Anyah Fields (San Diego, Calif.) and Sofia Orama (Marlborough, Conn.) secured a win by forfeit.
- Bakhshi followed her doubles victory by earning her first collegiate singles win in commanding fashion, 6-0, 6-3, at the No. 4 position.
- Huff followed suit, making quick work of her opponent at No. 3 with a 6-4, 6-1 victory.
- Corrigan was tested at No. 2, battling to a first-set win in a tiebreak before cruising to a 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 straight-set victory.
- Fields and sophomore Amelia Laidlaw (New Boston, N.H.) picked up wins by forfeit at No. 5 and No. 6 singles.
By the Numbers:
- This was the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
- Bakhshi picked up her first singles and doubles wins in her collegiate debut.
- Laidlaw also picked up the first win of her collegiate career.
- The Panthers have won five straight matches played at the Bank of New Hampshire Field House.
- This was the Panthers' first season-opening victory since 2023.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State returns to the court on Friday, Sept. 11, when it hosts Plattsburgh State. First serve is set for 4 p.m.
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