Final Stats

Boiling Springs, N.C. -Western Carolina women's tennis got a huge lift from its seniors on Tuesday, scoring a 4-3 road victory over Gardner-Webb in nonconference action. The win was WCU's first Gardner-Webb since 2005.

"Today was very exciting to say the least and another hard fought win for our girls," said head coach Michaela Kissell-Eddins. "I couldn't be more proud of how we battled on each court and the way we finished that match."

Seniors Stacia Kissell and Shannon Bettiol picked up the first win at No. 1 doubles, 6-1, over Stina Magnusson and Sandra Bolstad. Despite the victory, Gardner-Webb claimed the doubles point.

Senior Megan McLinden stepped up at No. 2 singles to get the first point for WCU with a 6-2, 6-0 straight set win over Stina Magnusson. Bettiol pushed the Catamounts ahead with her 6-4, 6-1 win over Sandra Bolstad at No. 3.

The Bulldogs reclaimed the lead with victories at both No. 4 and No. 5 singles. Freshman Savannah Taranto lost 5-7, 6-0, 6-1 to Sarah Rieckmann while sophomore Elizabeth Ansari dropped to Catherine White 7-6, 6-2.

Kissell tied the match three as she overcame a first set loss to claim victory at No. 1, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 over Rokia Sacko.

The match would come down to the No. 6 singles court as senior Erin Maguire clinched the decision in the tie-breaker after an almost four hour match with a 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9-7) decision over Laura Fermosel.

"To have four seniors all win their singles matches to beat a team they had never beaten before couldn't have been written any better," stated Kissell-Eddins. "When Erin pulled out that last match after playing for more than 3 hours and 45 minutes, it was an amazing team moment and a perfect example of the resilience it takes to be a great team."

The victory put Western Carolina at 7-3 on the season. The squad next plays at home in the Catamount Athletic Complex in a doubleheader against King College and Tusculum College on Sunday, March 13. Match times are at 11:00 am and 2:30 pm.