Senior Anja Gugger picked up a win at the No.2 singles spot for the Mountaineers. (Photo: Derek DeSha) Game statistics

Women's Tennis Falls in Home-Opener to Mercer
by Appalachian Sports Information

February 24, 2008 - BOONE, N.C.- -The Appalachian women’s tennis team played its first home match of the 2008 season against a challenging Mercer team. The weather conditions were less than ideal as the temperature was a frigid 36 degrees and snow showers late into the match caused the finals two matches to be played indoors. The Mountaineers could not quite rally to beat the Bears, as they fell 5-2. With the loss ASU ends a three match winning streak and falls to 4-3 on the season, while Mercer improves to 5-3.

Monica Tomas got action underway at the No.1 singles spot as she faced Anna Wieslander. After dropping the first set 6-0, Tomas tried to make a comeback, but ended up falling short, as she dropped the second set as well losing 6-4. At the No.2 position, senior Anja Gugger posted an impressive performance as she defeated her opponent in two sets, winning 6-4 and 6-1.

Sophomore Amanda Cash faced a strong opponent at the No.3 spot, and lost in two sets 6-1 and 6-1. Teammate Heather Prior tried to help the Mountaineers as she came back after being down 4-0 in the first set to defeat Cali Sachs in two sets winning 6-4 and 6-0.

The final two singles matches were quite intense as Lindsay King battled Karen Bellman at the No.5 singles position and Caroline Mauch put up a solid effort against Kelly Blount at the No.6 spot. Both King and Mauch rallied from behind to push the matches into three sets, however after one game into the third set heavy snow fall began and both matches were moved indoors. Both King and Mauch ended up dropping the final sets to their opponents as King lost 6-3, 6-7 and 6-4, while Mauch fell 2-6, 6-4 and 6-4.

Doubles action proved once again to be the Achilles heel of the Apps as they were unable to pick up the one point in doubles play. At the No.1 spot, Gugger/Cash fell to Wieslander/Dias 8-4 and at the No.3 position, and the duo of Cook/King were overpowered by their opponents as they were defeated 8-0. The only doubles partner to grab a win for ASU was Tomas/Prior who won 8-5.

After three matches in three days, Appalachian will take a break until Saturday March 1, as the Mountaineers play in their second home match of the season against East Carolina. The match is set to begin at 10 a.m..