Doubles Leads the Way in First Day at ITA Regionals

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Western Carolina women's tennis began the 2023 ITA Carolina Regionals with a strong showing on the doubles courts as both pairs earned victories in the opening matches of the regionals.

Western Carolina got off to a strong start in singles on Thursday morning as sophomore Isabella Sambola grabbed a commanding 6-2, 6-0 win over Kassandrao DiStaulo of Charleston Southern. Sambola was unable to keep up the momentum, though, as she fell to Eeva Ristola in straight sets.

In the morning wave, junior Angela Perez was also victorious in straight sets over Mariana Reding from Elon by the score of 6-3, 6-0. She followed that up with a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 defeat against Whitley Pate from Wake Forest.

Following a loss in her opening match against Campbell, Leilany Ipunesso bounced back with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Leilany Hitchcock from SoCon rival Furman.

In doubles action on Thursday, the pair of Groen and Perez grabbed an 8-3 decision over NCCU to advance to Friday's portion of the tournament. The duo of Sambola and Ipunesso needed a tiebreak before grabbing an 8-7 victory in doubles against Presbyterian.In the match against PC, Sambola and Ipunesso battled back to take the match after being down 7-1 to advance to Friday's tournament action.

The Catamounts now will turn their attention to Friday's action in Chapel Hill which includes Groen competing in singles as well as both doubles teams continuing in the doubles portion of the regionals. Groen is slated for a 9 a.m. first serve in singles against Elon while both doubles pairs are scheduled for an 11:30 a.m. start from Chapel Hill on Friday morning.

For the latest information on Catamount women's tennis, follow @catamounts or @catamountTennis on Twitter or go to www.catamountsports.com. In-match updates can be found on the Catamount women's tennis official tennis Twitter page.

Isabella Sambola

Isabella Sambola (WCU) def. Kassandrao DiStaulo (CSU) 6-2, 6-0
Eeva Ristola (CAM) def. Isabella Sambola (WCU) 6-3, 6-1
Isabella Sambola/Leilany Ipunesso (WCU) def. Claudia Sanchez/Valentina De Sousa (PC) 8-7 (7-3)

Leilany Ipunesso

Lilianna Chitambar (CAM) def. Leilany Ipunesso (WCU) 6-3, 6-0
Leilany Ipunesso (WCU) def. Leilany Hitchcock (FUR) 6-4, 7-5
Isabella Sambola/Leilany Ipunesso (WCU) def. Claudia Sanchez/Valentina De Sousa (PC) 8-7 (7-3)

Angela Perez

Angela Perez (WCU) def. Mariana Reding (ELON) 6-3, 6-0
Whitley Pate (WF) def. Angela Perez (WCU) 7-5, 6-4
Jade Groen/Angela Perez (WCU) def. Alejandra Hidalgo Vega/Jade Houston (NCCU) 8-3

Jade Groen

Jade Groen/Angela Perez (WCU) def. Alejandra Hidalgo Vega/Jade Houston (NCCU) 8-3

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Players Mentioned

Jade Groen: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Angela Perez: 5' 5"; Junior

Isabella Sambola: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Jade Groen
: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Angela Perez
: 5' 5"; Junior

Isabella Sambola
: 5' 6"; Sophomore