CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The Western Carolina women’s tennis team opened its home slate, picking up a 6-1 victory over Emmanuel on Friday afternoon at the Catamount Athletic Complex. 

Friday’s win marks the fifth straight year the Catamounts have opened their home schedule with a victory dating back to the 2018 campaign. WCU has now earned wins on its home court in nine of the last 11 matches.

Western Carolina (1-1) claimed a 6-0 shutout at No. 3 doubles before Isabella Sambola and Angela Perez got WCU on the board with a 6-2 win at the No. 1 spot.

Madison Schwarz and Chloe Schwarz also picked up the 6-4 victory at the No. 2 spot after the Catamounts claimed the doubles point on Friday.

Sambola and Groen carried that momentum to singles as they both won, allowing just three points in their respective matches. Sambola won 6-1, 6-2, and Groen flipped it, going 6-2, 6-1, which pushed the WCU lead to 3-0. 

Perez was able to clinch the home opening win for the Catamounts using a straight-set decision at the No. 3 singles position. After Emmanuel claimed a tight three-set tiebreak decision at No. 5, Madison Schwarz and Dasha Osadova picked up straight-set decisions, giving WCU the 6-1 home-opening win over the Lions.

The Catamounts have a quick turnaround as WCU hits the road on Sunday, Jan. 28, for a 1:30 p.m. start against Western Kentucky in Bowling Green. The Lady Toppers improved to 1-1 on Friday afternoon with a 7-0 shutout of Northern Kentucky as WKU dropped its season opener to Eastern Kentucky on Jan. 14. 

For the latest information on Catamount women’s tennis, follow @catamounts or @catamountTennis on Twitter or go to www.catamountsports.com. In-match updates can be found on the Catamount women’s tennis official tennis Twitter page.