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April 20, 2017

ORLANDO, Fla. (SMU) – For the third straight year, the SMU women's tennis team has advanced to the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference Championship after a 4-1 win against East Carolina Thursday afternoon at the USTA National Campus.

"Every member of this team did their part today and contributed," head coach Kati Gyulai said. "We didn't make all the shots but made the ones that mattered the most. We look forward to the playing in the semifinals."

The Mustangs (17-6) improved to 3-0 all-time against the Pirates (12-11) and 4-0 this season against conference opponents.

SMU never trailed jumping out to a 2-0 lead after winning the doubles point and No. 2 singles. Mary Wright and Dasha Sharapova (No. 3) defeated Michelle Castro and Annija Veinsteina, 6-3, and Macie Elliott and Liza Buss (No. 2) clinched the point with a 7-5 win against Maria Gomez and Nastja Rettich. In No. 2 singles, Sarai Monarrez Yesaki came out strong winning 6-0, 6-2 against Veinsteina.

East Carolina got within one after Celia Ruiz defeated Liza Buss, 6-2, 6-0, in No. 1 singles. However, Wright and Sharapova secured the win for the Mustangs recording victories in the No. 6 and No. 4 matches, respectively. Wright defeated Nastja Rettich, 7-5, 6-3, while Ana Perez-Lopez clinched the match with a 6-4, 6-4 victory against Michelle Castro.

The Mustangs face No. 7 seed USF (13-10) Friday for the second straight year in the semifinals. The Bulls defeated No. 2 seed Tulane, 4-1, in its quarterfinal matchup. First serve is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT.

Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Mustangs by following SMU Women's Tennis on Twitter at @SMUTennis and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SMUTennisW. Twitter at @SMUMustangs or Instagram at SMU.Mustangs.
 
 
Tennis Match Results
East Carolina vs SMU
April 20, 2017 at Orlando, Fla. - USTA National Campus
SMU 4, East Carolina 1

Singles competition
1. Celia Ruiz (ECU) def. Liza Buss (SMU) 6-2, 6-0
2. Sarai Monarrez Yesaki (SMU) def. Annija Veinsteina (ECU) 6-0, 6-2
3. Dasha Sharapova (SMU) vs. Lisa Hofbauer (ECU) 3-6, 6-2, 3-1, unfinished
4. Ana Perez-Lopez (SMU) def. Michelle Castro (ECU) 6-4, 6-4
5. Charline Anselmo (SMU) vs. Sarah Sarjoo (ECU) 5-7, 2-3, unfinished
6. Mary Wright (SMU) def. Nastja Rettich (ECU) 7-5, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Sarai Monarrez Yesaki/Ana Perez-Lopez (SMU) vs. Celia Ruiz/Lisa Hofbauer (ECU) 6-6, unfinished
2. Macie Elliott/Liza Buss (SMU) def. Maria Gomez/Nastja Rettich (ECU) 7-5
3. Mary Wright/Dasha Sharapova (SMU) def. Michelle Castro/Annija Veinsteina (ECU) 6-3

Match Notes:
East Carolina Record: 12-11
SMU Record: 17-6
Order of finish: Doubles (3, 2); Singles (2, 1, 6, 4)
 

2017 American Athletic Conference Women's Tennis Championship Schedule
USTA National Campus – Orlando, Fla.

Wednesday, April 19 - First Round (Results)
Match 1 - No. 8 USF 4, No. 10 Temple 0
Match 2 - No. 6 East Carolina 4, No. 11 Connecticut 3
Match 3 - No. 8 UCF 4, No. 9 Houston 0

Thursday, April 20 - Quarterfinals (Results)
Match 4 - No. 1 Tulsa 4, No. 8 UCF 1
Match 5 - No. 4 Cincinnati 4, No. 5 Memphis 1
Match 6 - No. 3 SMU 4, East Carolina 1
Match 7 - No. 7 USF 4 vs. No. 2 Tulane 1

Friday, April 21 - Semifinals
Match 8 - No. 1 Tulsa vs. No. 4 Cincinnati - 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT (Courts 1-6)
Match 9 - No. 3 SMU vs. No. 7 USF - 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT (Courts 7-12)

Saturday, April 22 - Final
Match 10 - Winner of Match 8 vs. Winner of Match 9 - 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT (Courts 1-6)