Matchday: Pirates Host Charlotte After 11-Day Layoff

Match 15: Charlotte (8-5) at ECU (12-2)
Date	Thursday, March 14
Time	2 p.m. (EST)
Location	Greenville, N.C. (River Birch Tennis Complex)
Social Media	Twitter: @ecuwtennis Instagram: @ecuwtennis Facebook: ECU Pirates Women's Tennis

GREENVILLE, N.C. – After earning the highest ranking in program history, the ECU women's tennis team returns from an 11-day layoff with a home match against Charlotte on Thursday afternoon at the River Birch Tennis Complex.

"We expect to have a very difficult match with Charlotte this Thursday," said head coach Tom Morris. "They are playing extremely well at this time having won six straight matches a week ago, before losing a very tight match against FIU, who won the C-USA tournament last year. The doubles point will be key, as will our ability to battle in every position in singles. "

ECU (12-2) has won 12 straight matches, including the past six by the score of 7-0. With that winning streak, the longest for the Pirates in over 10 years, ECU was ranked No. 49 on the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's (ITA) poll. That is the highest ECU has ever been ranked in its 44-year history.

The Pirates are a combined 101-60 (.627) in singles matches this season and the winning percentage jumps to 61-17 (782) in dual matches. Alisa Diercksen leads the team with a 17-8 record and she is currently on a nine-match winning streak. After starting her season slowly, Lisa Hofbauer has moved above .500, going 11-10 this season and is 8-2 on court one. Hofbauer, Celia Ruiz (10-3) and Minette Van Vreden (14-8) are all on eight-match winning streaks at the moment while Nastja Rettich (14-6) has won six straight. Rounding out the Pirates with double-digit victories already is Martina Paladini-Jennings, who holds a 13-6 record.

In doubles, Diercksen and Hofbauer have been the most formidable Pirate duo, going 12-4 this year and entering the ITA's doubles poll earlier in the season. The pairing are 7-3 on the top court. Ruiz and Van Vreden have also found success as a tandem, winning six of their seven matches.

Charlotte (8-5) has lost two straight matches coming into Thursday and is much better at home than on the road. The 49ers are 5-0 in Charlotte, but just 2-4 in road matches and 1-1 in neutral sites. Charlotte most recently dropped road matches against Conference USA opponents Florida Atlantic (4-3) and FIU (4-1). Rocio Safont leads the team with a 19-2 singles record and has won 1- straight matches. Pierina Imparato is 14-5 and has gone 10-1 in dual matches. In doubles, Safont and Emma Scott are 11-7, going 9-4 on court two while Immie Cowper and Tai Martin are 8-3 on court one. Last season, ECU beat Charlotte 4-2 behind wins from Ruiz, Hofbauer, Retitch, Diercksen and Hsia Ho Chiao.

First serve for the match is scheduled for 2 p.m., at the River Birch Tennis Complex.

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Players Mentioned

Alisa Diercksen

Lisa Hofbauer

Ho Chiao Hsia

Martina Paladini-Jennings

Nastja Rettich

Celia Ruiz

Minette Van Vreden

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