Pirates Fall 5-1 At VCU

Friday, January 24

Richmond, VA

1 PM

East Carolina University

VCU

Photo by: Rob Taylor

January 24, 2020 | Women's Tennis

Box Score Box Score

RICHMOND, VA. – After falling behind early, the ECU women's tennis team could not catch up to VCU on Friday afternoon, falling 5-1 at the Thalhimer Tennis Center.

"We got off to a slow start in doubles," said associate head coach Kristin Burgess. "Recovered on two of the courts, but couldn't hold serve when we needed it. We started better in singles, but didn't convert the important points at critical moments. Credit to the VCU team, they elevated their games at the right times."

ECU drops to 0-2 on the season while VCU improves to 2-1.

The Pirates dropped the doubles point for the second straight match to fall behind 1-0. Paola Diaz Delgado and Noumea Witmus beat Nastja Rettich and Michelle Ncube 6-2 on court three to start the match. The Rams clinched the opening point when Luminita Tutunaru and Gabriela Davidescu topped Lisa Hofbauer and Sibel Tanik 6-4 on the top court. Minette Van Vreden and Hanna Axelsson were tied with Kanako Tano and Melissa Ifidzhen 4-4 on court two, but the match did not finish after the doubles point was clinched.

ECU fell into an even deeper hole when VCU won the first set of singles on the top three courts. Davidescu was the first to finish her match, beating Ncube 6-4, 6-3 on court three. Tutunaru's 6-2, 6-4 win over Tanik put VCU one point away from clinching the match. Delgado was the Ram to win the clincher, beating Hofbauer 6-2, 6-3 on the top court.

ECU got one point back when Rettich beat Yano in straight sets, winning 6-2, 6-2. The match came to a close when Ifidzhen beat Axelsson 6-2, 6-4 on court five.

The Pirates will stay on the road for another match this weekend when they take on James Madison on Saturday morning. First serve is scheduled for 10 a.m.

Singles Results
1. Paola Diaz Delgado (VCU) def. Lisa Hofbauer (ECU) 6-2, 6-3
2. Luminita Tutunaru (VCU) def. Sibel Tanik (ECU) 6-2, 6-4
3. Gabriela Davidescu (VCU) def. Michelle Ncube (ECU) 6-4, 6-3
4. Nastja Rettich (ECU) def. Kanako Yano (VCU) 6-2, 6-2
5. Melissa Ifidzhen (VCU) def. Hanna Axelsson (ECU) 6-2, 6-4
6. Noumea Witmus (VCU) vs. Minette Van Vreden (ECU) 0-2, unfinished

Doubles Results
1. Luminita Davidescu/Gabriela Tutunaru (VCU) def. Lisa Hofbauer/Sibel Tanik (ECU) 6-4
2. Minette Van Vreden/Hanna Axelsson (ECU) vs. Melissa Ifidzhen/Kanako Yano (VCU) 4-4, unfinished
3. Paola Diaz Delgado/Noumea Witmus (VCU) def. Nastja Rettich/Michelle Ncube (ECU) 6-2