April 19, 2012

TAMPA, Fla. - The Marquette University women's tennis team defeated St. John's, 5-0, in its opening match at the 2012 BIG EAST Women's Tennis Championship Thursday morning in Tampa, Fla.

The No. 7 seed Golden Eagles advance to play No. 2 seed USF Friday morning at 8 a.m. at Varsity Courts.

Marquette clinched the first point of the morning with doubles wins at No. 1 and No. 2. The No. 2 tandem of Rocio Diaz and Ali Dawson was first off the court following a 8-2 decision over Ece Firat and Joanna Zwirbulis. Kristina Radan and Ana Pimienta secured the point when they defeated Nevena Selakovic and Diamond Adams, 8-5, at No. 1.

The Golden Eagles continued to cruise in singles action and grabbed wins at the No. 2, 4, 5 and 6 spots. Diaz took down Adams at No. 2, 6-0, 6-3, and Vanessa Foltinger gave up only one point in her 6-1, 6-0 win over Nakita Austin at No. 4.

Pimienta's 6-3, 6-3 win at No. 4 against Firat clinched the match victory for the Golden Eagles, and Radan defeated Terri Thomas moments later, 6-3, 6-1 at No. 6 to cap the first morning of action.

Marquette 5, St. John's 0

Singles
1. Gillian Hush (MU) vs. Nevena Selakovic (STJ) 0-6, 6-3, DNF
2. Rocio Diaz (MU) def. Diamond Adams (STJ) 6-0, 6-3
3. Ali Dawson (MU) vs. Joanna Zwirbulis (STJ) 6-3, 2-1, DNF
4. Vanessa Foltinger (MU) def. Nakita Austin (STJ) 6-1, 6-0
5. Ana Pimienta (MU) def. Ece Firat (STJ) 6-3, 6-3*
6. Kristina Radan (MU) def. Terri Thomas (STJ) 6-3, 6-1
Order of Finish: 2, 4, 5*, 6

Doubles
1. Kristina Radan/Ana Pimienta (MU) def. Nevena Selakovic/Diamond Adams (STJ) 8-5*
2. Rocio Diaz/Ali Dawson (MU) def. Ece Firat/Joanna Zwirbulis (STJ) 8-2
3. Gillian Hush/Vanessa Foltinger (MU) vs. Nakita Austin/Terri Thomas (STJ) DNF