Mercer University
Western Carolina
Women's Tennis Edges Western Carolina For First SoCon Win
4/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The Mercer University women's tennis team picked up its first Southern Conference win of the season with a 4-3 victory on Monday afternoon.
"We got through that one," said head coach Eric Hayes. "It was important to get the doubles point and then Katia (Stravroulaki) and Xandra (Fougner) getting wins. I could not be any prouder of Liza (Klyachkin). She has had her ups and downs these two years since I have been the coach at Mercer, but today she was totally clutch to clinch the win for us."
Mercer took a 1-0 lead in the match after winning the doubles point with wins at flights one and two. Katia Stravroulaki put the Bears up 2-0 after winning at flight one, 6-1, 6-3.
Western Carolina won three consecutive singles matches to take a 3-2 lead overall. Xandra Fougner went to a third set at flight two and used a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 win to tie the match score, 3-3.
Liza Klyachkin narrowly dropped her first set and won 6-3 in the second set to force a third, eventually winning her match at flight six and clinching the victory for the Bears.
Last season, Western Carolina edged Mercer, 4-3, in Macon.
Next up, Mercer will wrap up the regular season on Friday, April 15 against Wofford in Spartanburg. S.C. at 3 p.m.
Mercer 4, Western Carolina 3
April 11, 2016 | Cullowhee, N.C.| Catamount Athletic Complex
Singles
1. Katia Stravroulaki (MER) def. Stacia Kissell (WCU) 6-1, 6-3
2. Xandra Fougner (MER) def. Megan McLinden (WCU) 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
3. Shannon Bettiol (WCU) def. Grace Korta (MER) 6-2, 6-1
4. Savannah Taranto (WCU) def. Roxy Bartz (MER) 6-1, 7-6 (7-3)
5. Elizabeth Ansari (WCU) def. Haley Powell (MER) 6-4, 6-3
6. Liza Klyachkin (MER) def. Erin Maguire (WCU) 5-7, 6-3, 6-4
Doubles
1. Katia Stravroulaki/Xandra Fougner (MER) def. Stacia Kissell/Megan McLinden (WCU) 6-1
2. Grace Korta/Roxy Bartz (MER) def. Elizabeth Ansari/Shannon Bettiol (WCU) 6-1
3. Savannah Taranto/Nicole Nielly (WCU) def. Haley Powell/Liza Klyachkin (MER) 6-4
Match Notes:
Mercer 9-12, 1-5
Western Carolina 10-9, 0-6
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (1,3,4,5,2,6)
Players Mentioned
