NEW LONDON, N.H. - The Plymouth State University women's tennis team opened the season Saturday and Sunday with a third-place finish at the annual Colby-Sawyer College Shootout.

Saint Michael's College dominated the event to win the title, while Colby-Sawyer was second, PSU third and Castleton State fourth. The Panthers won the title two years ago and Colby-Sawyer took it last year.

Senior Jill Deyermond (Atkinson, N.H./Timberlane) had a solid tournament for the Panthers. After a first-round setback in the "A" singles bracket, she came back with two victories to claim to consolation round. Deyermond had similar success in the "A" doubles bracket, teaming up with freshman Buffy Garland (Freedom, N.H.) for a pair of victories and the consolation title after a first-round setback.

The were four singles brackets, and sophomore Denise Huckins (Holderness, N.H./Plymouth Regional) won the consolation round in the "D" singles bracket. There were two doubles brackets, and senior Briley Boisvert (Goffstown, N.H./Trinity) and sophomore Amanda Arponen (Plymouth, Mass./Plymouth South) won the consolation round in the "B" doubles bracket.

The Panthers will begin the dual match portion of the schedule Thursday against Colby-Sawyer at the P.E. Center Courts (4:00 p.m.)

                                                                   -- 30 --