April 8, 2011

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - No. 53 Marshall used a quick doubles point and five decisive singles wins to post a 6-1 Conference USA victory over East Carolina Friday afternoon at the Brian David Fox Tennis Courts and Huntington Tennis Center.

With the triumph, the Thundering Herd improved to 15-5 and 1-0 (C-USA), while the Lady Pirates dropped to 16-8 and 1-3.

Marshall took an early 1-0 advantage after clinching pairs play with victories at the top two positions. Michaela Kissell and Dominika Zaprazna finished first by blanking Natalie Collins and Petra Vogel by an 8-0 margin at No. 1, while Catherine Kellner and Maria Voscekova knocked off Manon Bissat and Neena Wanko by an 8-2 count at No. 2. Jessica Cook and Yilian Zhang helped East Carolina avoid the sweep with an 8-5 victory over Kara Kucin and Karlyn Timo in a No. 3 matchup.

After inclement weather forced the two teams to relocate to an indoor venue at the Huntington Tennis Center for singles action, Kissell started the Herd off with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Cook at No. 1 and Zaprazna followed by downing Collins 6-1, 6-2 at No. 2 for a 3-0 lead.

At No. 3, Kellner clinched Marshall's team victory when she dismissed Vogel 6-2, 6-1 before Voscekova added a 6-1, 7-6 decision over Zhang at No. 5 and Kristina Koprcina defeated Wanko 7-6, 6-4 at the fourth position.

Bissat tallied ECU's only triumph of the afternoon by rallying past Kucin 1-6, 7-6, 1-0 in a No. 6 meeting.

The Lady Pirates will complete regular season play by hosting Charleston Southern Tuesday beginning at 2 p.m.

NO. 53 MARSHALL 6, EAST CAROLINA 1
Singles Play
No. 1 - No. 52 Michaela Kissell (MAR) def. Jessica Cook (ECU) 6-1, 6-1
No. 2 - Dominika Zaprazna (MAR) def. Natalie Collins (ECU) 6-1, 6-2
No. 3 - Catherine Kellner (MAR) def. Petra Vogel (ECU) 6-2, 6-1
No. 4 - Kristina Koprcina (MAR) def. Neena Wanko (ECU) 7-6, 6-4
No. 5 - Maria Voscekova (MAR) def. Yilian Zhang (ECU) 6-1, 7-6
No. 6 - Manon Bissat (ECU) def. Kara Kucin (MAR) 1-6, 7-6, 1-0
Doubles Play
No. 1 - No. 33 Kissell/Zaprazna (MAR) def. Collins/Vogel (ECU) 8-0
No. 2 - Kellner/Voscekova (MAR) def. Bissat/Wanko (ECU) 8-2
No. 3 - Cook/Zhang (ECU) def. Kucin/Karlyn Timko (MAR) 8-5
Team Records: East Carolina 16-8, 1-3 C-USA; Marshall 15-5, 1-0 C-USA