Results

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - The Western Carolina women’s tennis team dropped a non-conference match 5-2 to Gardner-Webb Sunday afternoon. WCU picked up wins at No. 1 and No. 6 singles while the two teamed up to win No. 2 doubles. Freshman Jordan Strickland won at No. 1 while freshman Lauren McCall took the match at No. 6.

"Gardner-Webb was tougher than us today, but we played pretty well and showed some good improvements from yesterday,” said head coach Michaela Kissell-Eddins. “I thought all three courts played well in doubles and for Jordan (Strickland) and Lauren (McCall) to win both doubles and singles against a team like that is a really big effort. As a team the challenge is to remain process oriented and focus on the fact that we are putting ourselves into positions to win matches like this. Next weekend we will need to bring our “A” level efforts and mental toughness if we want a chance against either Wofford or Samford. It will be exciting to get back to conference matches and we will definitely give it all we have in preparation this week."

McCall and Strickland kicked things off with a 6-4 victory at No. 2 doubles but GWU was able to pick up wins at No.1 and No. 3 to clinch the doubles point.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs picked up their second point when junior Savannah Taranto was forced to retire due to illness at No, 2 singles. McCall picked up WCU’s first point of the match at No. 6 as she won 6-3, 6-1.

Strickland would immediately follow with a 6-3, 6-3 win at No. 1 to tie the match at 2-2. Gardner-Webb would win the remaining three matches to claim a 5-2 match victory.

WCU dropped to 11-9 overall while the Runnin’ Bulldogs improved to 11-5.

The Catamounts will return to action next Saturday, April 8 at 2 pm as they travel to Wofford for a SoCon match.