Feb. 18, 2012

Box Score

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - In a battle of East vs. West, Western Carolina (0-2) fell to East Carolina (3-4) 5-1 in a match held at Gardner-Webb University Saturday afternoon. The match was halted at the end of the singles competition due to incoming inclement weather.

Junior Karen Jiménez defeated Neena Wanko in the No. 2 match, picking up not only her first win of the season, but also her first win playing in the No. 2 spot. Jiménez defeated Wanko handedly, winning 6-2, 6-0.

In the No. 1 match, Natalie Collins of ECU narrowly escaped senior Ainhoa Iglesias Díaz. After taking the first set by a score of 6-1, Collins would have to fight back to take set point away from Iglesias Díaz. Collins won the set 7-5. After also being defeated in the first set, freshman Megan McLinden showed her fight as she battled in the second set against Renata Baieva in the No. 3 spot. Bakieva eventually took the second set 6-4.

In the No. 4 and No. 5 matches, East Carolina's Yilian Zhang (6-3, 6-0) and Danielle Terpko (6-0, 6-0) downed Katie Barry and Sarah Walters.

"I'm proud of Karen (Jiménez) for getting her first win of the season under her belt and also for getting her first win at the No. 2 spot," said head coach Chris Wollett. "Both Ainhoa (Iglesias Díaz) and Megan (McLinden) had tough battles in their matches, and I was impressed by how hard they fought back in their second sets. The way they didn't get down on themselves after their first sets and fought back in their second sets will go a long way for us this season."

With tomorrow's match against Mars Hill being postponed due to inclement weather, the Catamounts will next take on Brevard College - originally scheduled for last Thursday - this upcoming Thursday in Cullowhee at 2 pm.