Final Stats

CULLOWHEE, N.C. -Western Carolina's women's tennis team battled Mercer but fell short 4-3 in their last of the season home Southern Conference match.

The Bears took control early winning the doubles point at No. 2 and No. 1 flights but were not able to complete the sweep. Senior Nicole Nielly and freshman Savannah Taranto were able to defeat Haley Powell and Liza Klyachkin 6-4 in the No. 3 spot.

Senior Shannon Bettiol got the first point for the Catamounts with her 6-2, 6-1 victory over Grace Korta at No. 3 singles.

Taranto tied the match up at 2 with her 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) win over Roxy Bartz at the No. 4 flight.

Sophomore Elizabeth Ansari captured the last point and put the Catamounts in front at 3-2 at No. 5 with her 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Powell.

Mercer tied it up at 3 all at the No. 2 flight when senior Megan McLinden lost in three sets to Xandra Fougner 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 in a highly contested match.

Senior Erin Maguire bravely battled through cramps in her legs and three sets but fell to Klyachkin 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 which allowed the Bears to clinch the match.

WCU fall to 10-9 overall and 0-6 in conference play, while Mercer improved to 9-12 overall and 1-5 in conference play.

The Catamounts close out Southern Conference play on Wednesday, April 13 at 2 p.m. at Chattanooga before returning home to close out regular season play in a double header Saturday, April 16 at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. against Lenior-Rhyne and Limestone in Cullowhee at the Catamount Athletic Complex.