PLYMOUTH, N.H. (August 31, 2018) – The Franklin Pierce University women's tennis team opened the 2018-19 season on Tuesday afternoon with a tightly-contested, non-conference match on the road at Plymouth State. Ultimately, the Ravens came up on the short end of a 5-4 decision.

Franklin Pierce opens the season at 0-1, while Plymouth State improves to 2-0.

Plymouth State staked out a 2-1 advantage early, by taking two of the three doubles matches. At first doubles, it was an 8-5 win for sophomores Sage Winter and Maggie McCarthy over junior Alana Wyatt (Worcester, Mass.) and ­­­­­­­freshman Grayson LaCroix (Cherry Valley, Mass.). Meanwhile, fellow sophomores Jenna Sundquist and Kerstin Venincasa posted an 8-6 win over junior Sarah Rich (Windham, Maine) and senior Shelli Safran (Boxborough, Mass.) at third doubles. The lone doubles point for Franklin Pierce came at second doubles, courtesy of juniors Brigid Washburn (Greentown, Pa.) and Kelly O'Donnell (Maywood, N.J.), who notched an 8-5 win over seniors Irene Kigugu and Megan Wheeler.

The six singles matches would then be split down the middle, with each team claiming three points, and including a trio of three-set contests. Franklin Pierce took tightly-contested matches at first and third singles to extend the afternoon. At first singles, Wyatt gutted out a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win over Winter. At third singles, it was a come-from-behind, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 win for Rich over Kigugu.

The match would ultimately turn on a three-set match at fifth singles, which provided the clinching point for Plymouth State. O'Donnell took the first set from Venincasa, but the latter ultimately pulled out a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory.

Franklin Pierce's remaining point came at third singles, where LaCroix bested McCarthy, 6-2, 6-2.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (https://www.fpuraves.com). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce tennis apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (https://www.fpuravens.com/store).