Clinton, S.C. – A shorthanded Western Carolina women's tennis team dropped its nonconference match against the Presbyterian Blue Hose on Saturday afternoon, falling on the road, 6-1.

Canadian-born sophomore transfer Mariya Dobreva capped an undefeated week with both a singles victory and a doubles win, handing standout Presbyterian freshman Ladina Bruhin her first singles loss of the season. However, the Blue Hose won in straight sets on courts No. 2 and No. 3 in singles play, and collected a combined three wins by forfeit in the 6-1 decision.

How it Happened:

Injuries continue to plague the Catamounts as WCU was again unable to field a full lineup for the match. WCU entered doubles play, ceding a victory on the third court. Mariya Dobreva and junior transfer Mia Miranda notched a 6-3 win as the top doubles pairing, but the freshman tandem of Axelle Van Beurden and Kelly Coetzee fell 6-2 in their match as Presbyterian took the early lead, 1-0.

Points from the fifth and sixth courts were compounded by a Catamount injury on court No. 2 that gave Presbyterian the early match victory, with Axelle Van Beurden falling in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 to make it a 5-0 match.  

Mariya Dobreva notched her fourth consecutive singles win of the season and her fifth overall on the top court, downing Ladina Bruhin 6-2, 6-3 for WCU's sole point of the match.  

Kelly Coetzee closed out the day falling 6-3, 6-2 on the fourth court as Presbyterian claimed the 6-1 win.

Up Next for The Catamounts:  

WCU has a 10-day holdover before it opens Southern Conference play with a visit to ETSU in Johnson City, Tenn., on Feb. 24. The break could allow the Catamounts to have time away from the courts to get closer to full strength. WCU then has home matches against North Carolina A&T (Feb. 28) and mountain-rival UNC Asheville (March 6) slated for Cullowhee.