BOONE, N.C.- Appalachian State University women's tennis posted a solid effort, but fell short Friday afternoon, as the Apps dropped a 6-1 decision to East Carolina.

In three hard- fought doubles matches, East Carolina was able to capture wins in two of the three to grab the doubles point and take an early 1-0 match lead.

The team of Laura Janke and Jennifer Ansari fell at the number three doubles spot, dropping an 8-3 decision to Natalie Collins and Brooke Walter.

Gisela Fernandez and Blakeley Bean were able to earn a win for Appalachian at the number two doubles position, downing Petra Vogel and Yillian Zhang 8-4.

In the doubles point deciding match, Olivia Stannard and Ellie Linsell came up just short, as they lost 8-6 to their opponents at the number one spot.

The two teams continued to battle, as singles action was hotly contested as well.

Senior Caroline Mauch suffered a two-set loss to Collins at the number three singles spot, to open singles play as she dropped a 6-3, 6-2 decision.

Despite winning a close first set 7-6, Ansari could not hang on for a win, as she fell in the next two sets, losing 6-3, 6-3 to Cook at the number two spot.

In the match-clincher for ECU, the Pirates were able to finish, as Fernandez lost 6-3, 6-1 to Vogel at the number four spot.

Perhaps the most impressive performance of the afternoon came at the number one position as Linsell took her opponent to three long sets. Linsell was defeated in the first, rebounded and grabbed a win in the second set and then lost 6-3 in the third.

At the number five singles spot, Stannard downed Walter 6-3 in the first set then lost the next two sets, while Bean earned a thrilling win at the number six spot.

Appalachian continues with the 2010 season as the Black and Gold travels to Winston-Salem, N.C. to face Winston-Salem State and Catawba. The matches are scheduled for Sunday February 21.