Jan. 26, 2007

RICHMOND, Va. - The East Carolina women's tennis team earned its first two victories of the season during opening round play at the Virginia Commonwealth 4-1 Invitational late Friday night at the Thalhimer Tennis Center.

The Lady Pirates won six of eight singles matches and took both doubles points in similar 4-1 triumphs against Georgetown and James Madison.

In the opener against the Hoyas, sophomore Anca Dumitru cruised past Courtney Olsen 6-2, 6-0 in the No. 1 singles matchup while freshmen Brooke Walter and Varinia Soler posted 6-1, 6-1 and 6-4, 6-4 wins over Kelsey Darnell and Briana Kearney at the No. 3 and No. 4 slots, respectively. Juniors Mireia Gol and Hannah Priest earned the doubles tally by outlasting Adriann Gin and Liz Winokur (6-2, 4-6, 6-3).

East Carolina used victories at the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 positions by Dumitru, Luiza Borges and Gol to take three of four singles events against James Madison in the nightcap.

Dumitru dispatched Mary Napier (6-1, 6-3), Borges rolled past Anna Khoor (6-2, 6-2) and Gol handled Rebecca Erickson (6-1, 6-0) while Presley Thomas and Walter teamed up to notch the doubles point with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Lauren Graham and Kelly Maxwell.

East Carolina will face Longwood and No. 13 Virginia Commonwealth late Saturday evening before closing out tourney play Sunday afternoon with matches against Delaware and George Mason.

EAST CAROLINA 4, GEORGETOWN 1
Singles Play
No. 1 - Anca Dumitru (ECU) def. Courtney Olsen (GU); 6-2, 6-0
No. 2 - Stephanie Cohen (GU) def. Luiza Borges (ECU); 6-2, 1-6, 6-4
No. 3 - Brooke Walter (ECU) def. Kelsey Darnell (GU); 6-1, 6-1
No. 4 - Varinia Soler (ECU) def. Briana Kearney (GU); 6-4, 6-4
Doubles Play
No. 1 - Mireia Gol/Hannah Priest (ECU) def. Adriann Gin/Liz Winokur (GU); 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
Team Records: East Carolina 1-1, Georgetown 0-1

EAST CAROLINA 4, JAMES MADISON 1
Singles Play
No. 1 - Anca Dumitru (ECU) def. Mary Napier (JMU); 6-1, 6-3
No. 2 - Luiza Borges (ECU) def. Anna Khoor (JMU); 6-2, 6-2
No. 3 - Mireia Gol (ECU) def. Rebecca Erickson (JMU); 6-1, 6-0
No. 4 - Briana Jain (JMU) def. Varinia Soler (ECU); 6-4, 6-4
Doubles
No. 1 - Presley Thomas/Brooke Walter (ECU) def. Lauren Graham/Kelly Maxwell (JMU); 7-5, 6-4
Team Records: East Carolina 2-1, James Madison 0-2