BOX SCORE

CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Due to injury and illness, the North Carolina Central University women's tennis team played just five players in a 5-2 loss at Western Carolina University on Saturday.
 
The Lady Eagles did win three of the seven matches contested, including wins in the top two positions in the singles lineup by junior Jamie Rogers and freshman Frida Cnossen. It was the first win of the season for both players.
 
Rogers had to battle for her No. 1 singles win, claiming the match in a third-set superset. After trading the first two sets by matching 6-4 scores, Rogers dominated the superset, 10-4, over WCU freshman Jordan Strickland.
 
Cnossen only lost three games on her way to a 6-3, 6-0 triumph on court two over sophomore Savannah Taranto, who was a Southern Conference All-Freshman honoree last year.
 
The Catamounts won No. 3-5 singles in straight sets and a default win at No. 6.
 
Western Carolina (5-2) secured the top doubles match, 6-4, while senior Lynsey Cover and sophomore Jasmine Gabriel did the same for the Lady Eagles on court two. However, a default win in the last doubles slot gave the hosts the first team point.
 
Cover and Gabriel are 2-2 as partners.
 
NCCU (0-7) next plays at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, on Saturday, March 4 at 1:30 p.m.