March 30, 2006

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Old Dominion rallied back after dropping the doubles point and captured the deciding singles match in three-set fashion on the way to a 4-3 non-conference victory over East Carolina Thursday afternoon at Huntington Park.

The Monarchs improved to 15-7 with the win while the setback dropped the Lady Pirates' record to 15-7.

ECU used wins by pairs Gillie Bailey and Kirstin Buchanan at the No. 1 position and Anca Dumitru and Presley Thomas at No. 3 to capture the doubles point. Bailey/Buchanan, ranked No. 48 nationally, extended their winning streak to 12 straight after posting an 8-6 victory over Kerstin Endlich and Larissa Santos while Dumitru/Thomas fought past Barbara Costa and Barbara Kerner for a tough 9-8 decision.

After Old Dominion took three of the first five singles matches to even the contest at 3-3, the Monarch's Kerner outlasted the Lady Pirates' Thomas in a thrilling 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 match to secure the team victory for ODU.

Mireia Gol, who cruised past Costa (6-0, 6-3) at No. 3, and Luiza Borges, who defeated Santos 6-2, 6-2 at the No. 5 slot, each notched singles wins for East Carolina.

After three consecutive road matches, the Lady Pirates will return home to face High Point Wednesday, April 5.

OLD DOMINION 4, EAST CAROLINA 3
Singles Play
No. 1 - Kerstin Endlich (ODU) def. Anca Dumitru (ECU); 6-2, 6-2
No. 2 - Charleen Haarhoff (ODU) def. Gillie Bailey (ECU); 6-2, 6-0
No. 3 - Mireia Gol (ECU) def. Barbara Costa (ODU); 6-0, 6-3
No. 4 - Fernanda Luiz (ODU) def. Kirstin Buchanan (ECU); 6-2, 3-6, 6-0
No. 5 - Luiza Borges (ECU) def. Larissa Santos (ODU); 6-2, 6-2
No. 6 - Barbara Kerner (ODU) def. Presley Thomas (ECU); 7-5, 4-6, 6-3
Doubles Play
No. 1 - No. 48 Bailey/Buchanan (ECU) def. Endlich/Santos (ODU); 8-6
No. 2 - Haarhoff/Luiz (ODU) def. Borges/Gol (ECU); 8-4
No. 3 - Dumitru/Thomas (ECU) def. Costa/Kerner (ODU); 9-8
Team Records: East Carolina (15-7), Old Dominion (15-7)