March 20, 2006

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina dropped its second-straight on a two-game road swing through central North Carolina, falling to the Charlotte 49ers in non-conference action on Sunday, 7-0, at the D.L. Phillips Tennis Complex. WCU fell to 2-10 on the year while UNCC improved to 7-3 with its fourth-straight win.

Down one tandem, Western conceded the third flight of doubles to Charlotte. At number one, Charlotte's Ofra Friedman and Ashleigh Murray defeated Western sophomores Trish Hanson and Mariona Trilla Jane, 8-1, giving the 49ers the doubles point. At number two doubles, Charlotte's Koren Fleming and Ali Piacente defeated Western's Holly Stocks and Susanna Sjokvist, 8-0.

In singles play, Charlotte won all five of the contested bouts to claim the overall victory. At number one singles, Charlotte's Friedman was leading Trish Hanson, 6-1, 5-2, before Hanson had to retire due to injury. Second-seeded Sjokvist fell to Charlotte's Piacente, 6-1, 6-1, with third-seeded Trilla Jane battling before falling, 6-2, 6-2, to UNCC's Murray. In the number four slot, Stocks bowed out to Michelle Alexander, 6-2, 6-0, with WCU newcomer, Carly Abbott, falling in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0, in the number five position.

The Catamounts return home to open the Catamount Athletic Complex (CAC) this Wednesday, March 22, hosting UNC Asheville in a match that was rescheduled from the beginning of the month due to inclement weather. Match time is set for 2:00 pm. Western is slated to host another mountain rival, Appalachian State, on Thursday, March 23, at 2:30 pm at the CAC in Southern Conference action.

Charlotte 7, Western Carolina 0
Doubles
1.	Friedman/Murray (UNCC) def. Hanson/Trilla Jane (WCU) 8-1
2.	Fleming/Piacente (UNCC) def. Stocks/Sjokvist (WCU) 8-0
3.	UNCC won by default
Singles
1.	Ofra Friedman (UNCC) def. Trish Hanson (WCU) 6-1, 5-2 retired
2.	Ali Piacente (UNCC) def. Susanna Sjokvist (WCU) 6-1, 6-1
3.	Ashleigh Murray (UNCC) def. Mariona Trilla Jane (WCU) 6-2, 6-2
4.	Michelle Alexander (UNCC) def. Holly Stocks (WCU) 6-2, 6-0
5.	Yana Stoeva (UNCC) def. Carly Abbott (WCU) 6-0, 6-0
6.	UNCC won by default