MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The fifth-seeded No. 58 Wichita State women's tennis team crushed the 12-seeded East Carolina Pirates in the 2025 American Athletic Conference Championship opening round on Thursday afternoon at Leftwich Tennis Center.
 
The Shockers (13-9) snapped their three-match losing streak with the win.
 
Head coach Colin Foster was happy to come away with a combatitive win.
 
"I was really pleased with the way we were tested and how we responded in some tight situations," Foster said. "Every match had some tension, and ECU had nothing to lose, which pushed us."
 
In doubles, Wichita State overcame a slow start to secure a doubles win in dominant fashion, with Xin Tong Wang and Giorgia Roselli winning 6-2 and Theodora Chantava matching that soon after with another 6-2 win at court two, giving the Shockers the doubles point.
 
In singles, the Shockers kept the pressure on ECU, securing five first set victories.
 
Chantava struck first with a 6-2, 6-3 win at court four, putting the Shockers up 2-0.
 
Wang secured her second win of the day with a smashing 6-1, 6-3 win at court one, putting Wichita State on the brink of victory.
 
The Pirates would fight back, recording a 6-2, 6-4 win over Kristina Kudryavtseva at court three, making the score 3-1. 
 
Anne Knuettel would slam the door on a budding ECU comeback with a 7-5 (5), 6-4 win at court six, sending the Shockers into the AAC Quarterfinals.
 
"We've known all year that we can get contributions from every spot in the lineup," Foster said. "As long as we keep a positive mentality and play with discipline, we give ourselves the best chance at success this week."

Next up, the Shockers play four-seed, No. 52 Tulsa on Friday at 12:00 PM in Memphis at Leftwich Tennis Center.