Feb. 7, 2007

BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Campbell's 9-8 triumph in a No. 3 doubles match to clinch the pairs point proved to be the difference as the Lady Camels edged East Carolina 4-3 in non-conference women's tennis action Wednesday afternoon at the Nisbet Tennis Center.

The Lady Pirates, who suffered their second straight setback after posting wins in six of the previous seven matches, dropped to 6-4 on the season while Campbell improved its record to 5-1.

East Carolina opened doubles play by taking a brief lead when Luiza Borges and Mireia Gol teamed up for an 8-3 win over Ana Surviladze and Nina Surviladze at the No. 2 slot but the Lady Camels quickly drew even on Scarlet Alfonzo and Blanca Saenz' 8-5 victory over Anca Dumitru and Varinia Soler at No. 1. Campbell followed by clinching the match's first point when Liza Bensimon and Iva Stojancev outlasted Alex Smith and Presley Thomas 9-8.

In singles play, the Lady Pirates picked up victories at the No. 2, No. 4 and No. 6 flights as Gol defeated Saenz (6-4, 6-4), Brooke Walter rolled past Bensimon (6-2, 6-0) and Hannah Priest upended Nina Surviladze (6-2, 6-3).

The Lady Camels used triumphs by Alfonzo over Dumitru (2-6, 7-5, 6-1) No. 1, Ana Surviladze over Borges (6-0, 6-4) at No. 3 and Stojancev over Soler (7-5, 6-4) at No. 5 to capture the other three matches.

After playing its first 10 matches on the road to begin the 2007 campaign, East Carolina will open its home schedule Saturday by welcoming Appalachian State (10:00 a.m.) and North Carolina A&T (2:00 p.m.) to Greenville.

CAMPBELL 4, EAST CAROLINA 3
Singles Play
No. 1 - Scarlet Alfonzo (CAM) def. Anca Dumitru (ECU); 2-6, 7-5, 6-1
No. 2 - Mireia Gol (ECU) def. Blanca Saenz (CAM); 6-4, 6-4
No. 3 - Ana Surviladze (CAM) def. Luiza Borges (ECU); 6-0, 6-4
No. 4 - Brooke Walter (ECU) def. Liza Bensimon (CAM); 6-2, 6-0
No. 5 - Iva Stojancev (CAM) def. Varinia Soler (ECU); 7-5, 6-4
No. 6 - Hannah Priest (ECU) def. Nina Surviladze (CAM); 6-2, 6-3
Doubles Play
No. 1 - Alfonzo/Saenz (CAM) def. Dumitru/Soler (ECU); 8-5
No. 2 - Borges/Gol (ECU) def. A.Surviladze/N.Surviladze (CAM); 8-3
No. 3 - Bensimon/Stojancev (CAM) def. Alex Smith/Presley Thomas (ECU); 9-8
Team Records: East Carolina 6-4, Campbell 5-1