GORHAM, Maine -- The Vermont State University Castleton women's tennis team swept Southern Maine, 7-0, on the road in Little East Conference action on Saturday afternoon.
In doubles play, Brooke Hecker and Olivia Rutkowski earned a 6-3 win at the top spot. At No. 2, Maggie McKearin and Grace Pluff took a 6-2 victory, while Halle Hipple and Emma Johnson completed the doubles sweep with a 6-1 win at the third spot.
In singles play, Hecker earned a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 1, while McKearin followed with a 6-0, 6-1 victory at No. 3. Rutkowski battled through a three-set match at No. 2, taking the first set in a 7-6 tiebreaker, 8-6, before dropping the second set, 6-2. She bounced back to claim the third set, 6-4. At No. 4, Pluff also went the distance, winning the first set, 6-2, before dropping the second, 7-5. She responded with a 6-2 victory in the third set. Hipple earned a 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 5, and Johnson rounded out the sweep with a 6-4, 6-0 victory at No. 6.
The Spartans will return home to host Plymouth State in LEC action on Oct. 13 at 4 p.m. and will honor their seniors before the match.
