Box Score

CULLOWHEE, N.C. -

With the match tied 3-3, Western Carolina junior Savannah Taranto won the final match of the day 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(3), to clinch the victory for Catamount women's tennis over visiting Wofford (8-6, 0-3 SoCon) Sunday at the Catamount Athletic Complex.

"Today was a great day for our team and our program," said Associate Head Coach Jacob Eddins. "It was a total team effort and I am excited for this group to get their second SoCon win of the season and for them to start seeing their hard work pay off."

The Catamount victory pushes WCU's record to 8-5 on the year and 2-1 in the Southern Conference. The victory over the Terriers was the first for Western Carolina since the 2010 season when WCU defeated the Terriers with the same 4-3 score. It is also the first time the Catamounts have had two SoCon wins in a season in program history.

Western Carolina built the early 1-0 lead after the Catamounts won the doubles point getting wins at the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. Catamounts earned the doubles point with a 6-0 win at No. 3 doubles by Caitlin Ward and Carli Deehr, followed by a 6-4 win at No. 2 doubles by Lauren McCall and Jordyn King to clinch the doubles point. The Terriers won the No. 1 doubles position by a score of 7-6(5) to round out doubles actions.  

WCU jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Alexa Webb defeated Wofford's Brittney Wilbur 6-4, 6-1. Wofford would then bounce back and took a 3-2 lead overall with third victories on courts 1, 2, and 3. Freshman Carli Deehr's win at No. 6 singles over Samantha Russell 7-5, 7-6(1) leveled the match at 3-3.

With the match locked in at 3-3, it all came down to Taranto who hung tough at No. 4 singles and sealed the match for WCU with a 7-6(3) victory in the third set.

"Singles was an absolute battle," Eddins added. "We knew coming in we were going to have to have a really good mental effort down the lineup. I am proud of our juniors for coming up with two big singles wins."

Western Carolina steps out of SoCon play Wednesday traveling to Gardner-Webb for a 2 p.m. match.