Asheville, NC, September 15, 2025
News Summary
The Western Carolina women’s tennis team had a strong showing at the Emily McNall Classic in Asheville, NC, finishing with a 7-5 singles record. Freshman Jenelle Roberts excelled with a 3-0 record, leading the team alongside notable performances from Mariya Dobreva and others. The tournament featured thrilling matches against Wofford, Presbyterian, and UNC Asheville. Following this success, the team looks ahead to their upcoming Western Carolina Fall Invitational and other competitions.
Asheville, NC – The Western Carolina women’s tennis team showcased their skills at the Emily McNall Classic, held at UNC Asheville, delivering an impressive performance with a 7-5 singles record. The tournament included matches against competitors from UNC Asheville, Presbyterian, and Wofford.
Freshman Jenelle Roberts emerged as the standout player for the Catamounts, achieving a perfect 3-0 record in her singles matches. Roberts claimed victories over Wofford’s Quinn Bernthal with a score of 6-4, 6-4, Presbyterian’s McKenzie Davis in a closely contested match that ended 2-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-8), and UNC Asheville’s Valeria Centeno, winning decisively with a score of 6-1, 6-2.
Another notable performance came from Mariya Dobreva, a transfer from Colorado State, who recorded a 2-1 singles record during the tournament. Dobreva bested Presbyterian’s Rocana Valdes 6-2, 4-6, 1-0 (10-3) and UNCA’s Sofia Segui with a score of 6-1, 6-4.
Match Summaries
The tournament commenced with Western Carolina facing Wofford, where they struggled in singles play, ultimately losing 4-1. In doubles matches, Dobreva and Mia Miranda secured a victory over Wofford’s Ella Suk and Katie Godfree with a score of 6-1. Meanwhile, Hokualohi Lui and Roberts engaged in a nail-biting match but narrowly lost to Bernthal and Grace Agster, going to a tie-breaker with a final score of 7-6 (6-0).
On Saturday afternoon, the Catamounts turned the tide against Presbyterian, dominating by winning all their singles matches. Roberts, Miranda, and Axelle Van Beurden all had to rally from second-set losses to secure their victories. Lui, however, cruised to a straight-sets win, defeating Grace Katsman 6-4, 6-3.
The tournament concluded on Sunday with Western Carolina facing UNC Asheville, where the Catamounts finished strong with a 2-1 singles record. Dobreva and Roberts both won their matches in straight sets, while Lui fell to Avery Sager 6-3, 6-2.
Looking Ahead
Following the successful tournament, Western Carolina’s women’s tennis team will host their annual Western Carolina Fall Invitational on September 27-28. Subsequently, the team will split to participate in the Duckworth Fall Classic in Clemson, S.C., and the 49er Invite in Charlotte, N.C., which are scheduled for October 3-5.
Summary of Player Performances
| Player Name | Singles Record | Notable Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Jenelle Roberts | 3-0 | Defeated Centeno, Bernthal, Davis |
| Mariya Dobreva | 2-1 | Defeated Valdes, Segui |
| Mia Miranda | 2-1 | Part of doubles win against Wofford |
| Hokualohi Lui | 2-1 | Defeated Katsman |
| Axelle Van Beurden | 1-2 | Part of singles victories against Presbyterian |
FAQs
What was the overall performance of the Western Carolina women’s tennis team at the Emily McNall Classic?
The team achieved a 7-5 record in singles play and secured one doubles win during the tournament.
Who was the top performer for Western Carolina at this tournament?
Freshman Jenelle Roberts led the team with a perfect 3-0 record in singles matches.
What upcoming events are scheduled for the women’s tennis team?
The team will host the annual Western Carolina Fall Invitational on September 27-28, followed by the Duckworth Fall Classic in Clemson and the 49er Invite in Charlotte from October 3-5.
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Dustin Hale Takes the Helm as Head Men’s Tennis Coach at UNC Asheville
Dustin Hale Appointed New Head Men’s Tennis Coach at UNC Asheville
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Additional Resources
- UNC Asheville Bulldogs
- Western Carolina Catamounts
- Presbyterian Blue Hose
- Wikipedia: Tennis
- Google Search: Womens Tennis Emily McNall Classic
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