Boone, N.C. -- Mariya Dobreva led a short-handed Western Carolina women's tennis squad on Saturday with a top-court singles win, but the Catamounts fell 6-1 at Appalachian State.

With only four Catamounts available for the match, the Mountaineers claimed two singles points on the fifth and sixth courts and earned an early doubles win due to forfeit. All four singles matches were decided in straight sets, with App State claiming wins on courts No. 2 through No. 4.

Dobreva won a hard-fought three-set battle over Taya Powell on the top court, taking her first set 6-3 before falling 7-6 (8-6) in the second. The Montreal native pushed in the tiebreaker set, claiming a 10-5 win and the singles victory.

How it Happened:

The Catamount lineup was forced to shuffle significantly with the absences, as Mia Miranda made her season debut on the second court. She was followed on courts three and four by Axelle Van Beurden and Kelly Coetzee. Mariya Dobreva was the only Catamount to compete in her usual placement.

The Mountaineers swept doubles play, securing the 3-0 match advantage with a 6-2 win on the top court and posting a 6-3 win on the second.

Appalachian State clinched the match with their first singles win, taking a 6-2, 6-4 win on the third court before adding to their lead with a 6-2, 6-2 win on the second.

Dobreva snapped the Mountaineer point run with her second singles win of the season, downing Taya Powell 6-3, 6-7 (8-6), 1-0 (10-5) on the top court. The Mountaineers secured their 6-1 win with a 6-1, 6-3 fourth court win.

Up Next for The Catamounts:

Western Carolina is set to compete on its home courts for the first time this season as it faces the Young Harris Mountain Lions in a rescheduled match on Tuesday, Feb. 10. Originally scheduled for Feb. 1 before being moved to Feb. 4 because of weather, WCU's 2026 home opener is set for a 2 p.m. first serve. The Catamounts then hit the road for a match at Gardner-Webb on Feb. 11. Action in Boiling Springs, N.C.

Singles competition:

1. Mariya Dobreva (WCU) def. Taya Powell (APP) 6-3, 6-7 (8-6), 1-0 (10-5)

2. Naledi Manyube (APP) def. Mia Miranda (WCU) 6-2, 6-2

3. Allegra Hodson (APP) def. Axelle Van Beurden (WCU) 6-2, 6-4

4. Ruby Broadbent (APP) def. Kelly Coetzee (WCU) 6-1, 6-3

5. Alexi Cleveland (APP) def. No player (WCU), by forfeit

6. Sreenidhi Balaji (APP) def. No player (WCU), by forfeit

Doubles competition:

1. Naledi Manyube/Taya Powell (APP) def. Mia Miranda/Mariya Dobreva (WCU) 6-2

2. Ruby Broadbent/Allegra Hodson (APP) def. Kelly Coetzee/Axelle Van Beurden (WCU) 6-3