BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University women's tennis (6-11) suffered a 4-0 decision to a tough East Carolina (16-7) squad Monday afternoon at Varsity Courts.

The Mountaineers were competitive in doubles play but the Pirates hit their stride in singles action, while both doubles matches and the necessary three singles matches to clinch the match.

At No. 1 doubles, Clare Cox and Heidi Swope fought until the end but fell to Celia Ruiz and Nicole LaDuca to kickoff the day. ECU captured a 1-0 lead going into singles action after the freshmen tandem of Rebecca Morse and Devin Knors was toppled by Katie Hoch and Michelle Castro in a clash of No. 3's. Morse and Knors were down 4-0, but climb back into the match to within one point, 4-3, but the pairing of Hoch and Castro two of the final three points.

In singles play, ECU was too much for Appalachian. Melissa Machado fell 6-0, 6-1 as the No. 2 in the lineup to LaDuca followed by Cox's 6-1, 6-0 setback to Ruiz in a battle of No. 1's. The Pirates clinched the match when Mackenzie LaSure fell to Castro, 6-2, 6-2.

Singles matches for Gabrielle Wreder, Swope and Morse all went unfinished.

Appalachian will have a pair of Sun Belt matches this weekend. Due to the weather that is supposed to hit the Boone area, the Mountaineers will play South Alabama on Saturday at 2 p.m. before a match on Sunday against Georgia Southern at 10 a.m. Both matches will take place in Atlanta.