Feb. 23, 2003

Charlotte, N.C. - The Western Carolina women's tennis team dropped its first match of the season Sunday afternoon against UNC Charlotte, 5-2. The Catamounts are now 1-1 on the season.

Western claimed two of the three doubles matches for the doubles point. Rocio Perez, playing in her first match of the season due to injury, and Erin Johnson lost to Ashleigh Murray and Laura Swain, 8-5. The freshman team of Megan Bechtold and Katie VanEwyk defeated UNCC's Marilyn Clark and Lindsay Morris, 8-6. Kristin Cotton and Kristin Munn completed the doubles victory for the Cats by defeating Megan Bullins and Stacie Luders, 8-4.

In singles action, WCU got its only point from Cotton, who beat Courtney Clifford, 7-6 (5), 0-6, and 10-8 in a tie-breaking third set. After falling in her first set, 6-1, Perez battled back against Clark, but fell 7-6 (5) in the second. WCU's four other singles matches were lost in straight sets.

The Catamounts return home to host the College of Charleston in conference action Saturday, March 1, at 11:00 am. Also that weekend, Western Carolina will play host to Mercer at noon on Sunday.

Doubles
Murray/Swain (UNCC) def. Perez/Johnson (WCU); 8-5
Bechtold/VanEwyk (WCU) def. Clark/Morris (UNCC); 8-6
Cotton/Munn (WCU) def. Bullins/Luders (UNCC); 8-4

Singles
Laura Swain (UNCC) def. Kristin Munn (WCU); 6-0, 6-0
Lindsay Morris (UNCC) def. Megan Bechtold (WCU); 6-4, 6-3
Ashleigh Murray (UNCC) def. Erin Johnson (WCU); 6-1, 6-1
Marilyn Clark (UNCC) def. Rocio Perez (WCU); 6-1, 7-6 (5)
Kristin Cotton (WCU) def. Courtney Clifford (UNCC); 7-6 (5), 0-6, 10-8 (tie-breaker)
Megan Bullins (UNCC) def. Katie VanEwyk (WCU); 6-2, 6-4