Feb. 2, 2011

DAVIDSON, N.C. - Behind the strength of an early doubles point and five singles victories, East Carolina posted a season-opening 6-1 non-conference women's tennis triumph over Davidson Tuesday afternoon.

The Lady Pirates (1-0) used an 8-3 victory by Natalie Collins and Petra Vogel over Brites Moniz-Soares and Alison Rauh in a No. 2 doubles matchup before the freshmen tandem of Manon Bissat and Neena Wanko posted a similar 8-3 win at No. 3 to secure an early 1-0 lead.

In singles play, East Carolina recorded straight-set wins at the No. 1, No. 2, No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 slots to account for the 6-1 final. Yilian Zhang opened play by defeating Romina Clemente 6-3, 6-1 at No. 6 before Audrey LePottier and Wanko netted 6-3, 6-2 and 6-1, 6-2 wins at No. 3 and No. 5 over Nisha Crouser and Samantha Galainena, respectively. In addition, top-seeded Jessica Cook added a 7-6, 6-4 defeat of Stephani Synn, while Vogel earned a 6-4, 6-1 decision over Rauh in a No. 2 battle.

Davidson (3-2) tallied its only point of the match when Moniz-Soares handed Collins a 7-6, 6-0 setback in a No. 3 meeting.

The Lady Pirates will face off against Appalachian State in their home opener Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

EAST CAROLINA 6, DAVIDSON 1
Singles Play
No. 1 - Jessica Cook (ECU) def. Stephani Synn (DAV) 7-6, 6-4
No. 2 - Petra Vogel (ECU) def. Alison Rauh (DAV) 6-4, 6-1
No. 3 - Audrey LePottier (ECU) def. Nisha Crouser (DAV) 6-3, 6-2
No. 4 - Brites Moniz-Soares (DAV) def. Natalie Collins (ECU) 7-6, 6-0
No. 5 - Neena Wanko (ECU) def. Samantha Galainena (DAV) 6-1, 6-2
No. 6 - Yilian Zhang (ECU) def. Romina Clemente (DAV) 6-3, 6-1
Doubles Play
No. 1 - Cook/LePottier (ECU) def. Crouser/Synn (DAV) 8-6
No. 2 - Collins/Vogel (ECU) def. Moniz-Soares/Rauh (DAV) 8-3
No. 3 - Manon Bissat/Wanko (ECU) def. Clemente/Galainena (DAV) 8-3
Team Records: East Carolina 1-0, Davidson 3-2