PLYMOUTH, N.H.  –  The Plymouth State University women's tennis team swept the three doubles matches Friday afternoon and went on to defeat the University of Southern Maine, 6-3, in the Little East Conference opener for both schools at the P.E. Center Courts.

Leading 3-0 after doubles, the Panthers posted victories in the first two singles matches to be completed to clinch the team victory. Junior Sara Burke (Barrington, R.I.) led the way for the Panthers, collecting wins at No.1 singles and No. 1 doubles; she won in straight sets in the top singles flight, and teamed with sophomore Molly Heartfield (Dorset, Vt.) for a victory in the top doubles match.

Sophomore Chelsea Thibeault (Manchester, N.H./Central) also collected her first two career victories for PSU, winning in a super-breaker at No. 5 singles after pairing up with classmate Jane Duggan (Saunderstown, R.I.) for a victory at No. 3 doubles.  Also posting triumphs for the home team were the tandem of senior Lydia Smith (Marblehead, Mass.) and junior Elizabeth Silsby (Dorset, Vt.) at No. 2 doubles and sophomore Cheyenne Lessard (Berlin, N.H.) with her first career win at No. 6 singles.

The visitors picked up singles victories in the 2-3-4 positions by juniors Emily Boutin (Old Town, Maine), Tegan Talbot (Topsham, Maine) and Ali Hartley (Boothbay Harbor, Maine), respectively.

            Both teams are back on the court with non-conference road matches next Wednesday, Sept. 7, as PSU visits Colby-Sawyer College and USM travels to Thomas College.

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