Feb. 20, 2010

Results

Cullowhee, N.C. - The Western Carolina women's tennis team picked up three victories in singles action, but fell 4-3 in a heartbreaker to the Mercer Bears at the Catamount Athletic Complex on Saturday afternoon.

Mercer (3-0) remained unblemished by claiming the doubles point and winning three matches in singles. Western Carolina fell to 1-1 after reeling off a trifecta of victories in singles.

In singles, three Catamounts improved to 2-0 after victories this afternoon. Junior Izabella Glinska picked up an easy 6-3, 6-2 victory over Priscilla Dias in the three spot. Sophomore Ainhoa Iglesias Díaz fell in set one 1-6 to the Bears' Amalia Bugge, but rallied to win the second WCU set point with a 6-3 and 6-2.

True freshman Karen Jiménez Sarmiento won in straight sets over Mercer's Cohen, 7-6 (7-5 in the tiebreaker) and 6-2.

Mercer picked up the doubles point as the third doubles tandem of Stephanie Cohen and Sarah Hanna defeated Izabella Glinksa and Emily Turke in a 9-7 tiebreaker. The Catamounts rallied in the set to come back, but were unable to capitalize on two set-point opportunities.

In other doubles action, the number two team of Lainez and Jiménez Sarmiento defeated Mercer's Dias and Anna Wieslander, 8-4. Mercer's Lada and Bugge defeated Massey and Iglesias Díaz, 8-3.

In the one spot, Mercer's Jennifer Lada upended Carolina Lainez 6-2, 7-6 (7-5). While Amanda Massey battled in the number two hole, but fell short 6-3, 7-5. Emily Turke, a native of Raleigh, N.C., fell to Sarah Hanna 6-1, 6-2 in straight sets.

"Obviously, it's a tough loss, but I am proud of the way the girls' battled," noted Catamounts coach Jan Stubbs.

"We have shown improvement and these girls have a desire to win. I believe we will continue to get stronger as the season progresses."

The Catamounts will resume action next Wednesday, February 24 against UNC Asheville at the Catamount Athletic Complex. The match is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.