April 22, 2010

TULSA, Okla. - Jessica Cook, Audrey LePottier and Yilian Zhang led the East Carolina women's tennis team to a 4-0 shutout over Houston on Thursday afternoon with victories in their respective singles and doubles matches.

With the win, the seventh-seeded Lady Pirates (18-9) advance to the quarterfinals against second-seeded host Tulsa on Friday, for a shot at the semifinals. The Cougars finishes their season with an 11-8 record. ECU won the doubles point to open the match at the Case Tennis Center.

Petra Vogel and Zhang teamed up for an 8-3 victory over Joanna Kacprzyk and Neila Starratt at the No.2 slot before Cook and LePottier defeated Bryony Hunter and Elena Kazakova 8-5 at No.1.

East Carolina completed the match with victories at the No.1, No.4 and No.5 positions. Cook led off with the 6-3, 6-0 decision over Hunter followed by LePottier, who knocked off Kazimieruk 6-2, 6-4. Zhang clinched the team win with the 6-2, 6-3 victory over Kazakova.

The Lady Pirates have made it to the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Championship for the third-straight year.

EAST CAROLINA 4, HOUSTON 0
Singles Play
No. 1 - Jessica Cook (ECU) def. Bryony Hunter (HOU); 6-3, 6-0
No. 2 - Petra Vogel (ECU) vs. Joanna Kacprzyk (HOU); 6-2, 5-3, unfinished
No. 3 - Natalie Collins (ECU) vs. Laura Ring (HOU); 7-5, 2-3, unfinished
No. 4 - Audrey LePottier (ECU) def. Maja Kazimieruk (HOU); 6-2, 6-4
No. 5 - Yilian Zhang (ECU) def. Elena Kazakova (HOU); 6-2, 6-3
No. 6 - Abby Richmond (ECU) vs. Neila Starratt (HOU); 2-6, 3-4, unfinished
Doubles Play
No. 1 - Cook/Audrey LePottier (ECU) def. Hunter/Kazakova (HOU); 8-5
No. 2 - Vogel/Zhang (ECU) def. Kacprzyk/Starratt (HOU); 8-3
No. 3 - Collins/Tamara Sachs (ECU) vs. Kazimieruk/Ring (HOU); 6-7, unfinished
Team Records: Houston 11-8, East Carolina 18-9