Cullowhee, N.C. – The Western Carolina women's tennis team fell at home for the first time this season, dropping a 6-1 contest to North Carolina A&T at the Catamount Athletics Complex.

Shorthanded again in singles play, the Catamounts were forced to forfeit on the No. 6 singles court and on the third doubles court, and the Aggies capitalized on the advantage.

Mariya Dobreva enjoyed an undefeated day, partnering with Mia Miranda for a 7-5 doubles win on the top court before taking a 6-0, 6-1 singles win. Dobreva is undefeated at home this season and has notched a 6-3 record in solo play on the top court.  

WCU (1-8, 0-1 SoCon) is back in home action on Friday, March 6, as the Catamounts take on the UNC Asheville Bulldogs in Cullowhee. NC A&T (2-1, 0-1 CAA) has time away from competition before hosting Norfolk State on March 11.

How it Happened:

Forced to concede on the No. 3 doubles court, Mariya Dobreva and Mia Miranda powered to their fourth doubles win of the season, battling to a 7-5 victory on the top court. NC A&T took the early point, though, and grabbed a 2-0 advantage in the match with a 6-4 win on court two as Hokualohi Lui and Kelly Coetzee dropped their matchup.

Dobreva made it a 2-1 affair in short order, taking a commanding 6-0, 6-1 win on the top singles court over Hana El Sharif.  

Axelle Van Beurden fell 6-2, 6-1 on the third court before Hokualohi Lui dropped her match 6-4, 6-3 on court five, allowing the Aggies to clinch the win. Kelly Coetzee mounted a furious rally in the second set, but fell 6-0, 7-5 on the fifth court. Mia Miranda fell 7-5, 6-2 as the second seed as the Aggies secured the 6-1 win.

Up Next for The Catamounts:

WCU returns to home action on March 6 as the Catamounts host mountain rival UNC Asheville for a 2 p.m. match. The Catamounts then take on Quinnipiac (March 12) and Penn (March 13) in spring break action before returning to Cullowhee to host a former SoCon foe in the Marshall Thunder Herd on March 18.