Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina women's tennis opens Southern Conference play on Tuesday afternoon, traveling to the head down to the Palmetto state to take on the Furman Paladins. The first serve of the opening league match between the chromatic rivals is set for 3 p.m. at the Mickel Tennis Center in Greenville, S.C.
The Catamounts (5-5) enter Tuesday's match after picking up a strong 6-1 home win over Gardner-Webb over the weekend. Furman holds an impressive 6-2 record which includes a season-opening win over then #22 ranked Alabama. The Paladins haven't competed on their home courts since Jan. 26, when they took a 5-2 victory over the Appalachian State.
Tuesday's Tennis Matchup:
Western Carolina (5-5) at Furman (6-2)
Mickel Tennis Center - Greenville, S.C. - 3 p.m.
Live Stats: https://tinyurl.com/3dc65fh2
Players to Watch:
Chloe Schwarz enters the first conference match of the season red-hot as one of only five undefeated singles players with more than one singles match under their belt this season. She's 4-0 on the third court for WCU and most recently ripped off a straight-set victory over Gardner-Webb's Milica Prokic with a 6-3, 6-4 win.
One of the top players on the No. 1 court in the SoCon, Jade Groen boasts a 4-2 record as WCU's top seed this season and a 5-2 record overall. She's emerged as the victor in five of her last six decisions and held a set lead in her matchup with Wake Forest before the match was decided.
Furman is battled tested, fielding a lineup consisting of nearly all seniors. The Paladins are led by Sara Snyder and Ellie Schulson, who have racked up five wins apiece in singles play. The only non-senior to see playing time for the Paladins this season is sophomore Macy Hitchcock. The Eaton, Ohio product is 4-2 but is 0-2 in her last four outings.
Up Next for The Catamounts:
WCU remains on the road amidst a busy week as the Catamounts head to Asheville to face mountain-rival UNC Asheville on Feb. 28, before swinging down to Georgia to face the Kennesaw State Owls for the second consecutive season on March 2. The Catamounts then have a break before heading to Orlando, Fla., for spring break as they face FDU (Mar. 10), Lamar (Mar. 12), and Fairfield (Mar. 13).
