LEWISTON, Maine--The Smith College tennis team opened its 2011 season with a 9-0 loss at Bates College on Sunday afternoon.

Bates surrendered only three points combined in the match's doubles competition. Junior Meg Anderson and sophomore Nicole Russell shut out Smith's Gianna Teague (Gahanna, Ohio/Columbus Academy) and Meghan Smith (Danvers, Mass./Danvers) 8-0. Bates junior Erika Blauth and first-year Kristen Doerer won 8-1 at second doubles over Maggie Steiner (Madison, Conn./Academy of Our Lady of Mercy) and Allyson Hawkins (Plainfield, N.H./Lebanon). Jacqui Holmes and Jenna Burke coasted to an 8-2 win at No. 3 doubles over Eunice Zhao (Las Vegas, Nev./Liberty) and Rachel Canfora (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick).

The Bobcats (3-2) remained dominant in singles play, allowing the visiting Pioneers no set wins and only six games in total. Anderson was particularly dominant, winning 6-0, 6-0 at second singles.

The Pioneers dropped to 1-7 in dual-match play this year.

Bates travels to the Mid-Atlantic region to play at the University of Mary Washington on March 18 and at Johns Hopkins on March 19. Smith will meet Nazareth College next Sunday in Hilton Head, S.C.

(Parts of this release courtesy Bates Sports Information)