Cullowhee, N.C. – Nearly a month and a half after its initially scheduled date, the Western Carolina women's tennis team hosted the Furman Paladins at the on-campus Catamount Athletic Complex. The freshman duo of Axelle Van Beurden and Kelly Coetzee claimed a strong 6-2 doubles victory as the No. 2 seed, but ultimately the Catamounts fell 7-0 to the reigning Southern Conference champions.

The doubles win was WCU's lone match victory of the day, though Mia Miranda took her first singles set 6-4 before falling 6-0, 1-0 (10-5) on the second court.

WCU (2-12, 0-2 SoCon) is back in action on Sunday, March 22, as it visits the Samford Bulldogs in Birmingham, Ala. Furman (9-4, 1-0 SoCon) finishes out its run in North Carolina as the Paladins take on UNC Greensboro on March 21.

How it Happened:

With the Catamounts forfeiting on the fifth and sixth singles courts, as well as on the third doubles court, Furman claimed an early advantage in the match. The nationally ranked doubles pairing of Elle Warren and Lillie Murphy claimed a 6-2 win over Mariya Dobreva and Mia Miranda on the first doubles line as the Paladins claimed the doubles point.

Axelle Van Beurden and Kelly Coetzee rolled to a 6-2 win on the second court to close doubles play.  

Furman held a 3-0 lead before singles play started, with the Catamounts falling 6-2, 6-1 on the top court as the Paladins secured the win. Axelle Van Beurden fell 6-1, 6-3 on the third court while Kelly Coetzee fell 6-2, 6-4 on the fourth.

Mia Miranda claimed a 6-4 first set victory as the second seed, but fell 6-0, 1-0 (10-5) to close out the day as Furman took the 7-0 victory.

Up Next for The Catamounts:

WCU is back in action as the Catamounts take on the Samford Bulldogs in Birmingham, Ala., on March 21 before taking on the Chattanooga Mocs on the road on March 26.

The Catamounts will be back home to host the Mercer Bears and the Wofford Terriers on April 2 and 3 before closing the regular season with the UNCG Spartans on April 7.