March 11, 2003

Hilton Head, S.C. - The Western Carolina women's tennis team completed a 7-0 sweep of IUPU-Fort Wayne Tuesday in Hilton Head, S.C. The Lady Cats are now 3-4 overall and 0-1 in the SoCon.

Rocio Perez and Erin Johnson shut out Beth Miller and Stephanie Blaney, 8-0, as did Kristin Munn and Katie VanEwyk over Julie Downs and Michelle Humphrey, 8-0. The number one seed team of Shannon Zalinski and Megan Bechtold fought hard for the 9-7 win over Francesca Solari and Jill Carie.

The Lady Cats easily claimed all six singles victories of the day with all players winning in straight sets. Rocio Perez, debuting in the number one position, defeated Solari; 6-0, 6-4. No Catamount gave up more than four games to their opponent and two Western players only sacrificed two games to the Mastodons. Bechtold downed Blaney; 6-1, 6-1; while Johnson defeated Downs; 6-0; 6-2.

WCU continues its tournament play against Northern Kentucky at 8:00 am on Wednesday to wrap up the week in Hilton Head.

Doubles
Zalinski/Bechtold (WCU) def. Solari/Carie (IPFW); 9-7
Perez/Johnson (WCU)  def. Miller & Blaney (IPFW); 8-0
Munn/VanEwyk (WCU)  def. Downs & Humphrey (IPFW); 8-0

Singles
Rocio Perez (WCU) def. Francesca Solari (IPFW); 6-0, 6-4
Megan Bechtold (WCU) def. Stephanie Blaney (IPFW); 6-1, 6-1
Kristin Munn (WCU) def. Jill Carie (IPFW); 6-2, 6-1
Kristin Cotton (WCU) def. Michelle Humphrey (IPFW); 6-1, 6-2
Erin Johnson (WCU) def. Julie Downs (IPFW); 6-0, 6-2
Shannon Zalinski (WCU) def. Beth Miller (IPFW); 6-0, 6-4