Final Stats |   

CULLOWHEE, N.C. -- Western Carolina women's tennis team improved to 4-2 on the season after defeating Longwood 7-0 in the cold. An unexpected small snow fall delayed the start of the match but was not enough to deter the Catamounts.

"I thought we handled the elements really well today and brought great energy from the first point in doubles", said head coach Michaela Kissell-Eddins.

Seniors Stacia Kissell and Shannon Bettiol got the first win at No. 1 doubles 6-1 over Fallon Burger and Isis Gill.

Senior Nicole Nielly and freshman Gaby Hurt clinched the doubles point at No. 3 by defeating Paloma Alatorre and Maria Coronel 6-3. This allowed senior Megan McLinden and freshman Savannah Taranto, who was leading 5-4, to go unfinished over Anna Pelak and Mason Thomas.

"Before the match I told the girls I wanted this to be the first match that every single person had a great day and that's exactly what happened", stated Kissell-Eddins.

Taranto continued on her hot streak defeating Alatorre 6-3, 6-3 at No. 4 singles, while Kissell at No. 1 took down Burger 6-0, 7-5.

Sophomore Elizabeth Ansari needed all three sets to clinch the match for the Catamounts at No. 5 over Thomas 1-6, 6-2, 11-9.

McLinden at No. 2 defeated Pelak 6-3, 7-6 (7-5). Senior Erin Maguire got back to her winning way over Coronel 6-3, 6-4 at No. 6. Bettiol was the second Catamount to need all three sets to win her match as she defeated Gill at No. 3 7-5, 6-7 (5-70), 10-2.

" Longwood is a very good team and we knew to expect close matches on each court. I am very proud of each of the girls and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead of us", said Kissell-Eddins.

The Catamounts next match is in Cullowhee, N.C. against Presbyterian College on Feb. 20 at 2 p.m.