Feb. 17, 2005

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina dropped the first doubles point to the home-standing UNC Asheville Bulldogs and could not capitalize on freshman Ashley Harris' win as the fourth seed as the Catamounts fell, 6-1, to their mountain rival Thursday afternoon in non-conference action at the UNCA Tennis Center.

The loss ends Western's winning streak over the Bulldogs at two and sets the Cats back to 0-3 on the spring. UNC Asheville improved to 6-2 overall with the win.

Harris picked up her second singles victory of the spring season, defeating UNCA's Lindsay Boykin in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1. The Belmont, N.C., native was the lone Catamount to tally a singles win despite efforts of her classmate, Susanna Sjokvist. The Gustafs, Sweden native dropped her first set, 6-2, before outlasting Asheville's Whitney Abbott for the 7-6 tally to force the deciding game three. The two battled back and forth in the third before Abbott finally pulled out the point with a 10-7 victory.

Harris teamed with senior Kristin Cotton to secure Western's only victory in doubles play, edging the Bulldog tandem of Morgan Martin and Mary Katherine Fitzgerald, 9-7. The Bulldogs (6-2) were able to get the doubles point when the number one doubles team of Natasha Lucki and Rachel Rhoney edged the Catamount duo of Tricia Hanson and Katherine Ptak, 9-8.

Western returns to action this Saturday, February 19 as it hosts Presbyterian College at 1:30 on the Courts at Reid Gym. The Catamounts edged out the Blue Hose last season, 4-3, in Clinton, S.C.

UNC Asheville 6, Western Carolina 1


Singles
1. Natasha Lucki (UNCA) d. Tricia Hanson (WCU) 6-1, 6-2
2. Rachel Rhoney (UNCA) d. Katherine Ptak (WCU) 6-2, 6-0
3. Mary Katherine Fitzgerald (UNCA) d. Kristin Cotton (WCU) 6-4, 6-2
4. Ashley Harris (WCU) d. Lindsay Boykin (UNCA) 6-0, 6-1
5. Whitney Abbott (UNCA) d. Susanna Sjokvist (WCU) 6-2, 6-7, 10-7
6. Rachel Poole (UNCA) d. April Yount (WCU) 6-0, 6-1

Doubles
1. Lucki-Rhoney (UNCA) d. Hanson-Ptak (WCU), 9-8
2. Cotton-Harris (WCU) d. Morgan Martin-Fitzgerald, 9-7
3. Abbott-Poole (UNCA) d. Yount-Sjokvist (WCU), 8-2