April 17, 2005

Boone, N.C. - The Western Carolina women's tennis team concluded the regular season with a 5-2 loss rival Appalachian State Saturday afternoon at the Bob Light tennis complex. The Mountaineers' junior Victoria Moody clinched the win with her victory at the No. 3 position over Western's Kristen Cotton in straight sets (6-2, 6-3).

Also claiming victories for the Mountaineers in singles competition were junior Salem Kirven at the No. 2 spot, who defeated Katherine Ptak in straight sets (6-2, 6-2) and junior Lindsey Free at No. 1 with her win over Tricia Hanson, also in straight sets (7-5, 7-5).

Freshmen Ashley Harris and Susanna Sjokvist earned Western's two points, tallying conference wins at the number four and five positions.

In doubles action, Appalachian's Free and Kirven clinched the point for the Mountaineers at No. 1 with an 8-4 victory over Hanson and Ptak. Also claiming victory for ASU in doubles play were freshman Alexandra Grate and Moody in their 8-4 win over Ashley Harris and Cotton at the No. 2 spot.

Western did not compete in both the number six singles or three doubles.

With the loss, Wester concluded the regular season 4-15, 0-10 in the Southern Conference. The Catamounts return to action when they compete in the SoCon championship in Charleston, S.C. on Thursday, April 21. Western will enter the tournament as the 11th-seed.

Results:

Singles:
1. Lindsey Free (ASU) def. Tricia Hanson (WCU) 7-5, 7-5
2. Salem Kirven (ASU) def. Katherine Ptak (WCU) 6-2, 6-2
3. Victoria Moody (ASU) def. Kristen Cotton (WCU) 6-2, 6-3
4. Ashley Harris (WCU) def. Alexandra Grate (ASU) 6-3, 6-4
5. Susanna Sjokvist (WCU) def. Jill Parsons (ASU) 6-0, 6-3
6. ASU wins by Default

Doubles:
1. Grate/Moody (ASU) def. Cotton/Harris (WCU) 8-4
2. Free/Kirven (ASU) def. Hanson/Ptak (WCU) 8-4
3. ASU wins by Default