Cullowhee, N.C. -- The Western Carolina women's tennis team is back home to host the Tusculum Pioneers on Monday afternoon on the courts at the on-campus Catamount Athletic Complex. First serve with the NCAA Division II opponent is set for 2 p.m. as the Catamounts look to string together three straight victories.
WCU (2-2) comes in after most defeating the Davidson Wildcats 5-1 on the road Saturday afternoon. Tusculum is 0-1 after battling the University of Charleston (W.Va.) on Sunday afternoon. The Pioneers did face the UNC Asheville Bulldogs in an exhibition match, falling 7-0 in Asheville on Jan. 25.
Monday's Match:
Western Carolina (2-2) vs Tusculum Pioneers (0-1)
Feb. 3, 2025 | 2 p.m. | Catamount Athletic Complex | Cullowhee, N.C.
Players to Watch:
The Catamounts saw a slight alteration to their lineup against Davidson as Jade Groen took over on the top court for Isabella Sambola, who competed on court two. It was Groen's second appearance in the top spot this season as she nearly came away with a singles victory in the second of two matches at nationally-ranked Auburn. She's finished five matches on the top court in her career with Saturday's 6-1, 6-3 win at Davidson marking her first victory.
As for doubles pairings, the Catamounts have settled early on an arrangement consisting of Groen and Madison Schwarz on court one, Andrea Redondo and Chloe Schwarz in the No. 2 pairing, and Isabella Sambola and Angela Perez on court three. Groen/Schwarz and Sambola/Perez earned strong victories at Davidson to clinch the doubles point and advanced to 2-1 on the season, while Redondo/Schwarz held a 5-4 lead in their matchup when play concluded once the point was decided.
The Pioneers are led by a trio of European returners in Elodie Baechler (La Rippe, Switzerland), junior Ylva Frafjord Landa (Sandnes, Norway) and sophomore Thilda Danielsson (Ahus, Sweden). Baechler was named All-South Atlantic Conference (SAC) first team as a singles competitor, posting a 15-6 record and primarily splitting her time across the top and second courts. Landa led the Pioneers in singles wins last season, racking up 19 victories, ten of which came on the second and third courts. Danielsson picked up seven wins as a freshman, mostly competing on the fourth and fifth courts.
Up Next for The Catamounts:
The Catamounts have a flurry of home matches this week, remaining at home to host rival Appalachian State on Saturday, Feb 8 at 1 p.m. and the Presbyterian Blue Hose on Sunday, Feb 9 at Noon. WCU then returns to the road for a doubleheader with South Carolina and Wake Forest on Feb. 15 with both matches scheduled in Columbia, S.C.
For the latest information on Catamount women's tennis, follow @catamounts or @catamountTennis on Twitter or go to www.catamountsports.com.
