March 14, 2013

Final Stats

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina Tennis lost to Gardner-Webb after a hard fought match on Thursday, by a score of 4-3. It is the third straight match that the Catamounts have fallen by a single point.

In doubles, Stacia Kissell and Shannon Bettiol defeated GWU's Erica White and Jenny Lunde 8-5 at the No. 1 position, while WCU's Nicole Niely and Karen Jimenez lost in the No. 2 spot 8-4. Sara Ruiz and Erin Maguirewon by default in No. 3 doubles.

It was a fight to the end in singles play as Shannon Bettiol and Sara Ruiz both lost during tie break sets. Bettiol, at the No. 5 position, lost to GWU's Rokia Sacko (7-6, 6-4), while Ruiz lost to GWU's Lunde at the No. 3. Spot (6-2, 5-7, 7-6). In the No. 2 singles match, senior Karen Jiménezwon her first set, 6-1, before a knee injury caused her to retire.

Other scores for singles were GWU's Erica White defeated Stacia Kissell 6-1, 6-3 at the No. 1 position and Nicole Niellydefeated Valeria Popkp (GWU) 6-4, 6-2 in the No. 4 match.

The Catamounts return to action this weekend with two home matches at the Catamount Athletic Complex. The first takes place on Saturday at 1 p.m. as WCU welcomes conference-foe Elon with the Purple and Gold taking on East Tennessee State Sunday at 1 p.m.