BOONE, N.C. - Looking to snap a three-match losing streak,
Appalachian State University women's tennis is geared up for a pair of Southern
Conference matches this weekend. The Apps host Western Carolina at ASU Tennis
Courts on Saturday at 2 p.m. before traveling to Chattanooga for a noon match
on Sunday.
The Mountaineers' (9-7, 2-3 SoCon) recent skid includes
losses to league rivals Furman and UNCG as well as non-conference foe UNC
Wilmington. Prior to those matches, the Black and Gold had won six out of seven
previous matches.
Freshman Gabby Gabriel picked up ASU's only point in
Wednesday's, 1-6 loss to UNCG. The newcomer has a team-high 10 wins in the No.
4 to No. 6 singles positions. No. 2 Jennifer Ansari seeks her 10th win of the
season, while Ansari and fellow-junior Ellie Linsell are on the verge of
double-digit victories as Appalachian's top doubles pair.
Western Carolina (1-11, 0-4 SoCon) is seeking its first
conference win since a 4-3 victory over Davidson in March 2011, also WCU's only
Division I win in the last two seasons. The Wildcats' only win this season was
a 4-3 decision over Mars Hill earlier this month.
Karen Jiménez has a team-high five wins this season and is
5-6 overall while playing at No. 2 and No. 3 singles. Megan McLinden has earned
a 4-7 mark in the top three individual positions. As a team, the Wildcats are a
combined 12-57 in singles and 4-25 in doubles.
Chattanooga (11-4, 3-3 SoCon) enters the weekend after
winning two of its last three SoCon matches, including wins over Elon and
Wofford with a loss to Furman. The Mocs began the season with an 8-1 record
before adding losses to College of Charleston and UNCG earlier in March.
Chattanooga will play UAB on Friday to begin the weekend.
Four Mocs have tallied double-digit wins through 15 matches
for Chattanooga, led by No. 1 singles player Jenna Nurik at 10-5. Kaylene
Chadwell (10-5) and Alexa Flynn (10-4) have split duty at No. 2 and No. 3
singles, while Shaina Singh (10-4) has filled roles in the bottom half of the
lineup.
After the weekend, the Mountaineers will play four of their
final five matches at home, beginning when they host Davidson on Tuesday at
3:30 p.m.
