Tennis Falls at Samford in 5-2 Decision – Western Carolina University

Birmingham, Ala. — The Western Carolina women’s tennis team came out firing on all cylinders on Friday afternoon, but ultimately fell on the road at Samford in a 5-2 decision.  

For the first time since the Catamount’s record-setting win at Gardner-Webb, the Purple and Gold swept the doubles courts to take a 1-0 lead in the match. The duos of Isabella Sambola and Angela Perez in the first seed, Jade Groen and Madison Schwarz in the second seed, and Andrea Redondo and Dasha Osadova in the third each fought to claim 6-4 set victories and take the early lead in the match.  

However, that lead would unfortunately not last, as the home team rallied on the singles courts, taking five of the six points available to claim the overall victory on the day. Jade Groen picked up her fifth-straight singles win against Samford’s Emily Surcey in a 6-4, 6-4 match on the second court. Groen’s victory against the Bulldogs is her 13th of the season and her 12th straight-set win of the year.

While Groen was the only Catamount to pick up a singles victory, both Angela Perez and Madison Schwarz found themselves in close battles. Perez fell in hard-fought 7-5, 7-6 decisions in her match while Schwarz fell in the third set after picking up a 6-4 edge in the second set.  

The Catamounts enjoy a week off to prepare for their final home match of the season as they host the Wofford Terriers on April 5. The 1:00 p.m. match will be broadcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required). WCU then hits the road to close out the 2024 regular season in Chattanooga as they take on the Moccs on April 7.  

Doubles Results  

1. Isabella Sambola/Angela Perez (WCU) def. Alexis Lopez/Noelle Mauro (SAM) 6-4  

2. Jade Groen/Madison Schwarz (WCU) def. Emily Surcey/Grace Keller (SAM) 6-4  

3. Andrea Redondo/Dasha Osadova (WCU) def. Margaret Jaraczewski/Lauren Waddles (SAM) 6-4 

Singles Results  

1. Alexis Lopez (SAM) def. Isabella Sambola (WCU) 6-4, 6-3  

2. Jade Groen (WCU) def. Emily Surcey (SAM) 6-4, 6-4  

3. Ally Hayduk (SAM) def. Angela Perez (WCU) 7-5, 7-6  

4. Noelle Mauro (SAM) def. Madison Schwarz (WCU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-1  

5. Margaret Jaraczewski (SAM) def. Andrea Redondo (WCU) 6-2, 6-2  

6. Meredith Taylor (SAM) def. Dasha Osadova (WCU) 6-3, 6-2  

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