Tuesday, March 13, 2001

Johnson City, Tenn. -- The East Tennessee State women's tennis team improved to 5-1 on the season with a hard-fought, 4-3, victory at Charleston Southern.

Only one of the singles matches needed three sets to decide a winner, but it was the conclusive match in the Bucs' victory. Playing at No. 5 singles, freshman Tatiana Arriaran captured the first set, 6-3, before dropping the second set, 6-4. Arriaran regained composure and dominated the final set, 6-1, against Charleston Southern's Kim Belcastro.

ETSU's other victories in singles competition were provided by junior Mami Inoue at No. 2 singles and senior Cara Prupas at No. 4 singles. Inoue leads the team with a 5-1 record during the spring season. Charleston Southern also captured three singles wins, with straight set victories in the No. 1, No. 3 and No. 6 positions.

The Bucs won the doubles point with a dominating performance at the top spot and a hard-fought victory at No. 3. Inoue and senior Paty Vega made quick work of their competition, 8-2, at No. 1 doubles. Freshmen Jessica Irey and Aimee Villavicencio combined for a 9-7 win at No. 3 doubles.

"This was a very tough, competitive match for us," interim head coach Mike Cress said. "We didn't play our best tennis but these girls did what it took to win. This match showed our mental toughness."

ETSU returns to action in Memphis, Tenn. when the Bucs take on three teams in dual match competition at the University of Memphis Tournament. The Bucs will face Arkansas-Little Rock and Memphis on March 23 before concluding the event against Southern Illinois on March 24.

Singles

1. Givella Turbok (CSU) def. Paty Vega             6-1, 6-1
2. Mami Inoue (ETSU) def. Julie Harnois            6-1, 6-2
3. Sophie Givliani (CSU) def. Jessica Irey         6-4, 6-5
4. Cara Prupas (ETSU) def. Neteli Reyes            6-2, 6-2
5. Tatiana Arriaran (ETSU) def. Kim Belcastro      6-3, 4-6, 6-1
6. Melissa Mathis (CSU) def. Aimee Villavicencio   7-6, 6-4

Doubles

1. Vega/Inoue (ETSU) def. Turbok/Harnois           8-2
2. Reyes/Givliani (CSU) def. Prupas/Arriaran       8-1
3. Irey/Villavicencio (ETSU) def. Belcastro/Mathis 9-7