April 18, 2002

FORT WORTH, TX - The Charlotte 49ers women's tennis team lost a hard fought first round Conference USA Tournament match to fourth seed Houston, 4-3. The 49ers won the doubles point and two singles matches. However, they lost three singles matches in three hard fought sets.

The 49ers will face 12th seed East Carolina, Friday, April 19 at 4 pm. This match will mark the second time this season that the two teams have played each other. East Carolina won the last meeting between the two teams, February 28, 2002.

Charlotte won two doubles matches to claim the doubles point. In number one doubles, Charlotte's Alice Hansen and Laura Swain defeated Houston's Baccarani and Keene, 8-5. In number two doubles, Charlotte's Lauren Hastings and Jennifer Hatch had their match suspended with Houston's Longani and Meisinger. In number three doubles, Charlotte's Courtney Clifford and Stacie Luders won their match by default.

Charlotte won at number five and six singles. In number one singles, Charlotte's Laura Swain lost a hard fought match to Houston's Baccarani, 7-6, 4-6, 6-2. In number two singles, Charlotte's Alice Hansen lost a hard fought match to Houston's Keene, 6-1, 0-6, 6-3. In number three singles, Charlotte's Jana Cucciniello retired after dropping the first set, 6-0, to Houston's Amalia Longani. In number four singles, Charlotte's Jennifer Hatch lost to Houston's Kailey Meisinger in three hard fought sets, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. In number five singles, Charlotte's Lauren Hastings defeated Houston's Kandace Ridgway, 6-3, 6-0. In number six singles, Charlotte's Stacie Luders won her match by default.