Pirates Win Morris' Final Two Matches

Saturday, February 29

Greenville, N.C.

11 AM

East Carolina University

George Washington

Photo by: Rob Taylor

February 29, 2020 | Women's Tennis

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 NC Central Box Score George Washington Box Score

GREENVILLE, N.C. – In the final two matches of head coach Tom Morris' illustrious career, the ECU women's tennis team earned dominant victories over George Washington and NC Central on Saturday afternoon.

"What a wonderful way to close out Coach Morris' career!" said associate head coach Kirstin Burgess. "I couldn't be more thankful to him for being such a great boss and mentor. Enjoy retirement Coach!"

ECU started the day by beating George Washington 4-1 before sweeping NC Central 7-0. That put the Pirates' record at 5-6 on the season and 2-1 at home.

In both matches, the Pirates got an early lead by winning the doubles point. In the match with George Washington, ECU got a boost as Michelle Ncube and Minette Van Vreden won on court three by walkover. Nastja Rettich and Ho Chiao Hsia then beat Sarah Bodwes and Luciana Kunkel 6-4 on court two to clinch the point.

In singles against George Washington, ECU got an early point as Victoria Dixon won court six via walkover. Lisa Hofbauer continued her strong play on court one, beating Katarin Marinkovikj 7-5, 6-3. The Colonials got one point back when Kunkel was able to knock off Ncube 6-0, 6-3 on court three. But ECU closed out the match through Van Vreden who beat Bodewes 6-1, 6-2 to clinch the first victory of the day.

In the afternoon match, the Pirates won doubles on all three courts. Hofbauer and Tanik took care of Frida Cnossen and Hannah Gaines 6-1 on court one. Dixon and Hsia beat Ivana Dragovic and Polina Sakharova 6-0 on court three before Ncube and Van Vreden topped Maru Berghaus and Sofia Miller 6-2 on court two.

In singles, ECU did not drop a single set. Hofbauer started with her second win of the day, beating Berghaus 6-2, 6-0. Hsia beat Miller 6-1, 6-1. The Pirates clinched when Ncube finished off a 6-4, 6-1 win over Dragovic.

Sofia Anthony got her first win of dual match season by beating Polina Sakharova 7-5, 6-3 on court six. Van Vreden joined Hofbauer in getting her second singles win on Saturday, beating Gaines 6-3, 6-4. The Pirates completed the sweep when Tanik beat Cnossen 6-2, 7-6 (7-0) on court two.

ECU will be back on the road for a pair of matches. First, the Pirates will be at UNC Wilmington on Friday, March 6 before traveling to Coastal Carolina on Saturday, March 7.

George Washington Singles Results
1. Lisa Hofbauer (ECU) def. Katarin Marinkovikj (GW) 7-5, 6-3
2. Sibel Tanik vs. Melis Bayraktaroglu (GW) 5-7, 6-3, 1-0, unfinished
3. Luciana Kunkel (GW) def. Michelle Ncube (ECU) 6-0, 6-3
4. Minette Van Vreden (ECU) def. Sarah Bodewes (GW) 6-1, 6-2
5. Hanna Axelsson (ECU) def. Jiaquing Mo (GW) 7-6, 3-6, 0-0, unfinished
6. Victoria Dixon (ECU) wins by walkover

George Washington Doubles Results
1. Lisa Hofbauer/Sibel Tanik (ECU) vs. Melis Bayraktaroglu/Katarin Marinkovikj (GW) 5-4, unfinished
2. Nastja Rettich/Ho Chiao Hsia (ECU) def. Sarah Bodewes/Luciana Kunkel (GW) 6-4
3. Michelle Ncube/Minette Van Vreden (ECU) win by walkover

George Washington Order of Finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (6,3,1,4)

NC Central Singles Results
1. Lisa Hofbauer (ECU) def. Maru Berghaus (NCCU) 6-2, 6-0
2. Sibel Tanik (ECU) def. Frida Cnossen (NCCU) 6-2, 7-6 (7-0)
3. Minette Van Vreden (ECU) def. Hannah Gaines (NCCU) 6-3, 6-4
4. Michelle Ncube (ECU) def. Ivana Dragovic (NCCU) 6-4, 6-1
5. Ho Chiao Hsia (ECU) def. Sofia Miller (NCCU) 6-1, 6-1
6. Sofia Anthony (ECU) def. Polina Sakharova (NCCU) 7-5, 6-3

NC Central Doubles Results
1. Lisa Hofbauer/Sibel Tanik (ECU) def. Frida Cnossen/Hannah Gaines (NCCU) 6-1
2. Michelle Ncube/Minette Van Vreden (ECU) def. Maru Berghaus/Sofia Miller (NCCU) 6-2
3. Victoria Dixon/Ho Chiao Hsia (ECU) def. Ivana Dragovic/Polina Sakharova (NCCU) 6-0

NC Central Order of Finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (1,5,4,6,3,2)