Pirates extend win streak to 17 overall

The East Carolina women’s tennis team defeated Temple University 4-2 for its 17th straight win of the season on Saturday evening, despite some inclement weather.

“I thought our team played a very competitive match under a difficult situation,” head coach Tom Morris said via press conference. “We had to move the start from 6:30 pm and didn’t get much court time during the weather, but we played very well in doubles and we seem to be playing really well as a team this year.

ECU (17-2, 3-0 AAC) was able to get the early lead in doubles against Temple (10-5, 0-2 AAC). The Pirates’ dynamic duo of junior Lisa Hofbauer and sophomore Alisa Diercksen continued to impress, winning the Pirates’ first doubles set 6-1. Additionally, this was their 11th straight win playing duos with together. ECU clinched the doubles point thanks to junior Nastja Rettich and sophomore Hsia Ho Chiao winning their set 6-2.

The singles matches were much closer between the two conference foes, as three of the six matches played required all three sets to determine a winner. In the third singles match of the day, Diercksen dominated her opponent with a complete shutout, winning 6-0, 6-0 in straight sets to give the Pirates the 2-0. The Owls won the next match when ECU freshman Minette Van Vreden was handed 6-4 losses in straight sets to bring the score to 2-1 overall. ECU played hard to regain its cushion and win the match.

Rettich battled back against her opponent on court six winning 6-3, 6-4. The Pirates only needed one more point to claim the victory against Temple and it all fell on the shoulders of Hofbauer and freshman Martina Paladini-Jennings, who were playing separate matches from each other.

The first match was won by Temple. Hofbauer suffered a 4-6, 6-0 and 3-6 loss on court one. Fortunately for the Pirates, Paladini-Jennings had more success in her match, battling back from an early deficit of 3-6 to win the match and lift her teammates over the Owls, 6-2 in the final two sets.

“The last two matches, we had not finished No. 3 doubles and today when we needed them, they were there for us in a big way. In singles, the folks that hadn't been finishing matches, got wins today. Nastja (Rettich) won a big match, Martina (Paladini-Jennings) won a big match and Alisa has been playing well. A good day for us overall against a solid Temple team." Morris said.

The Pirates will attempt to extend their win streak to 18 straight as they take on Davidson College (5-7, 3-5 A-10) at the River Birch Tennis Complex, next Saturday at 10 a.m.