Women's Tennis Edges Western Carolina, 4-3

Thursday, March 13

2 pm

Mercer University

Western Caro.

3/13/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis

MACON, Ga. – In the final tune-up before the start of conference play, the Mercer women's tennis team came from behind and to edge Western Carolina 4-3 Thursday afternoon from the LeRoy Peddy Tennis Center.

With the Catamounts (0-8-1) competing down a player and forfeiting No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles, Mercer (6-9) used that momentum in the early going and clinched the doubles point when Natalie Franklin and Haley Powell earned a 8-5 victory at No. 2 doubles. WCU edged the Bears at No. 1 doubles, but with only five players in the lineup Mercer was awarded the victory at No. 3 doubles.

Despite playing short-handed, WCU battled back in singles action and won points in each of the first three singles matches. Mercer would tie the score with a default win at No. 6 singles, and a 6-1, 6-1 victory by Liza Klyachkin at the No. 5 spot tied the score 3-3 with one match still in progress.

The attention turned to No. 4 singles, where Natalie Franklin battled back and fought off elimination in the second set before emerging with a 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 marathon victory to send Mercer to a 4-3 win.

With the victory, Mercer eclipsed its win total from last season as the Bears put a lid on nonconference play and get set for the eight-match A-Sun slate.

The Bears return to action Friday, March 14 against Lipscomb in the Atlantic Sun Conference opener for both squads. First serve is set for 10 a.m.

Mercer 4, Western Carolina 3
Mar 13, 2014 at Macon, Ga. (LeRoy Peddy Tennis Center)

Singles competition

1. Stacia Kissell (WCU) def. Lucie Payrat (MER) 6-1, 6-3

2. Shannon Bettiol (WCU) def. Roxy Bartz (MER) 5-7, 7-6 (7-3), 3-0, retired

3. Megan McLinden (WCU) def. Haley Powell (MER) 6-4, 6-4

4. Natalie Franklin (MER) def. Sara Ruiz Pajares (WCU) 3-6, 7-6, 6-4

5. Liza Klyachkin (MER) def. Erin Maguire (WCU) 6-1, 6-1

6. Amanda Bertani (MER) def. No player (WCU), by default

Doubles competition

1. Stacia Kissell/Shannon Bettiol (WCU) def. Lucie Payrat/Roxy Bartz (MER) 8-7

2. Natalie Franklin/Haley Powell (MER) def. Sara Ruiz Pajares/Megan McLinden (WCU) 8-5