Feb. 16, 2014

Results

Boiling Springs, N.C. - Stacia Kissell claimed her third win of the season with a 6-1, 6-3 victory at the No. 1 singles spot, but the Western Carolina women's tennis team dropped a 6-1 decision at Gardner-Webb Sunday afternoon at the Webb Tennis Complex.

"I thought we played well today but still have work to do," head coach Michaela Kissell-Eddins said. "Stacia played a great match at No. 1 singles to earn another quality win and everyone else was playing close with their opponents at each position."

The Runnin' Bulldogs claimed the doubles point after Sara Ruiz Pajares/Erin Maguire drop their set 8-1 to Jenny Lunde/Rokia Sacko, along with a forfeit at No. 3 doubles. Stacia Kissell/Shannon Bettiol battled valiantly before dropping their doubles match in the tiebreak to Yasmin Doost/Ronia Hutterli, 8-7 (10-3).

Kissell claimed the first and only point, for the Catamounts when she defeated Doost, 6-1, 6-3. Erin Maguire fell in straight sets to Sacko at the No. 5 spot, 6-3, 6-1, and GWU sealed the match when Shannon Bettiol dropped her match, 6-2, 6-3, at No. 2 to Lunde. The loss at the second spot clinched the match because Gardner-Webb was award a point at the start of singles when WCU had to forfeit the match at the No. 6 spot.

Sara Ruiz Pajares lost to Hutterli at No. 3 singles, 6-3, 6-4, and Megan McLinden closed the day after suffering a loss to Valeria Popko 6-4, 6-3 at No. 4 singles.

"The match felt a lot closer than a 6-1 loss, but Gardner-Webb played better than us in the big moments," said Kissell-Eddin. "We are still a relatively young team, and I know we are learning from these experiences. We will hit the practice courts hard this week in preparation for two great opportunities next weekend."

Western Carolina (0-4) opens its home schedule with Presbyterian on Saturday, February 22 at 1 p.m. followed by mountain rival UNC Asheville on Sunday, February 23 at 1 p.m.