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CULLOWHEE, N.C. - The Western Carolina women's tennis team took on one of its most familiar non-conference foes Thursday afternoon as mountain-rival UNC Asheville visited Cullowhee for the Catamounts and Bulldogs annual match. The Catamounts earned the doubles point and took four of the six singles matches to earn a 5-2 victory over the Bullodgs, their third-straight win in the series.

Sophomore Jordan Strickland continued her hot streak in singles action winning her ninth match of the season in 10 attempts.

"Today was a great team win," said head coach Michaela Kissell-Eddins. "Each of the girls were able to get wins on either the singles or doubles court to help propel the team to victory. We got off to a quick start in doubles winning at number two and number three and that really helped our confidence going into singles play under pretty tough conditions. Our girls did a great job stepping up at the big moments to carry the momentum moving in our favor throughout the match. I'm really excited with how our team has grown throughout the season up to this point. We are excited to start conference play this weekend and look forward to a tough battle at UNCG."

Freshman Jordyn King and sophomore Lauren McCall jumped started WCU with a dominating 6-0 victory at No. 2 doubles. The freshmen duo of Carli Deehr and Caitlin Ward then clinched the doubles point for the Catamounts with a 6-2 victory at No. 3. The Bulldogs hung on to win at No. 1 doubles 6-3 but it was not enough to earn a point for the Bulldogs.

WCU went on to win the first three singles matches of the day to clinch the victory at 4-0. Reigning Southern Conference Player of the Month Jordan Strickland opened things up with her win at No. 2 singles 6-1, 6-2.

Shortly after Strickland's win, junior Savannah Taranto pushed the Catamounts ahead 3-0 with a 6-0, 6-4 victory at No. 4. Junior Alexa Webb then clinched the match with a 6-4, 6-1 victory at No. 5.

Asheville would score its first point of the match with a 6-0, 4-6, 10-0 victory at No. 6 prior to McCall scoring WCU's final point with a 6-3, 7-5 battle at No. 3. The Bulldogs finished off the match with a 6-4, 6-4 victory at No. 1.

The Catamounts will now hit the road as they open up Southern Conference play at UNCG this Saturday, March 17 at 1 pm.