Huskies at Thomas on Thursday (4:00 p.m.)

            GORHAM, Maine -- The visiting Rhode Island College Anchorwomen opened their Little East Conference schedule with a 9-0 victory over the University of Southern Maine Huskies Saturday afternoon at the Gorham High School courts.

            The win was the fourth straight for the Anchorwomen (4-1; 1-0), the preseason favorite in the LEC, since a season-opening loss at Clark University.  The Huskies (1-3; 0-2) dropped their third match in four outings.

            The Anchorwomen opened a 3-0 lead sweeping the three doubles matches.  The closest point was in the third doubles match between the RIC combination of senior Tressa Cannata (Cranston, R.I./Cranston West) and sophomore Laura Nastasi (Smithville, N.J./Absegami) and the USM team of senior Molly Gallagher (South Portland, Maine/Deering) and junior Kara Weiske (Nobleboro, Maine/Lincoln Academy).  Cannata and Nastasi prevailed by an 8-6 score.

            Cannata and Nastasi would also gain singles points for the Anchorwomen at fourth and fifth singles, respectively.  Cannata knocked off senior Emily Estes (Gorham, Maine) in straight sets, while Nastasi defeated junior Rikki Demoranville (Madawaska, Maine) in straight sets.  All six players used by the Anchorwomen earned two points.

            Southern Maine travels to Thomas College on Thursday (4:00 p.m.) for its next match.  Rhode Island College is off until next Saturday (1-0) when it travels to Western Connecticut State University for an LEC match.

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