April 20, 2018

Box Score |   

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Number six seed Western Carolina women's tennis closed out the 2018 season with a 4-2 loss to No. 3 seed Samford Friday at the 2018 Southern Conference Women's Tennis Championships at the Champions Club. The Catamounts close the season with a record of 9-10.

"I'm really proud of the way we competed today despite the results," said Associate Head Coach Jacob Eddins. "Overall, it was a great match to be a part of and was highly competitive. That's what its all about come tournament time."

The Catamounts got out to an early lead winning the doubles point. Jordan Strickland and Savannah Taranto won at No. 1 doubles 7-5 and Jordyn King and Lauren McCall clinched the point winning at No. 2 doubles 6-4.

"We played a great doubles point to get the early lead and we were in almost every singles match as it was coming down to the wire with the last two matches," Eddins admitted. "We had some opportunities throughout the singles matches to take back some momentum late into the match but let it slip away." Samford bounced back after dropping the doubles point by winning the first three singles matches at No. 1, No. 4 and No. 5. The Catamounts did grab a point making it 3-2 when SoCon All-Freshman selection King won at No. 2 singles 6-4, 7-5.

The Bulldogs clinched the game-winning at No. six singles.

"To be in that situation was a new experience for our team but I think it only helps us moving forward in the program," Eddins said. "I have to give credit to Samford for playing a solid match. It's been a great year for our players and I hope today makes our group tougher moving forward to come back more experienced next season."