April 17, 2008

HOUSTON, Texas - The UAB women's tennis team lost its opening round match against East Carolina, 4-2, at the Conference USA Tournament in Houston Thursday afternoon. Freshman Evelien Strijker won singles and doubles matches against the Pirates.

UAB finishes its season 9-6, while East Carolina improves to 17-5 and will now face top-seeded Tulsa in Friday's quarterfinals.

UAB took an early lead in the match by earning the doubles point. Strijker and senior Antonia Nugent won 8-5 against Alex Smith and Brooke Walter at No. 1 doubles, while senior Seden Soyalp and freshman Jenny Cape beat Varinia Soler and Hannah Priest, 8-6, at flight three.

Strijker was the lone winner for UAB in singles play as the freshman beat Jessica Cook, 7-6, 6-3 at No. 1 singles.

Freshman Giorgia Romeo did not finish her match at flight five singles.

Senior Gulsah Esen lost 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 against Soler at No. 2, while Nugent dropped a 7-5, 7-5 decision to Mireia Gol at No. 3.

Cape lost a tough three-set match at flight four against Walter, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3, and freshman Ceylan Engin lost 4-6, 6-0, 6-0 to Tamara Sachs at No. 6.