The Western Carolina women’s tennis team is set to kick off their 2025 spring season with a challenging doubleheader against the 12th-ranked Auburn Tigers on Monday, January 20. The matches will take place at Auburn's Yarbrough Tennis Center, marking the first-ever meetings between these two programs in women's tennis. The Catamounts aim to make a strong start after a break since November, while Auburn enters the games with an impressive 3-0 record. This opening series promises to be an exciting test for both teams as they showcase their skills and strategies.
Auburn has already demonstrated its prowess this season, securing victories over North Alabama, UAB, and Tuskegee. The Tigers have shown remarkable consistency, winning by wide margins in each of these encounters. Meanwhile, the Catamounts, who have not competed since November, are eager to shake off any rust and prove their mettle. With a full return of their 2024 lineup, Western Carolina boasts seasoned players like Isabella Sambola and Jade Groen, who collectively achieved 24 wins last year. Groen was particularly notable, earning Southern Conference Player of the Month honors in March and a spot on the All-SoCon second team.
The roster also features seniors Andrea Redondo and Angela Perez, who bring valuable experience with 52 combined career wins. Chloe Schwarz and Maddison Schwarz, twin sisters, look to build on their successful doubles partnership from last season, where they recorded the second-highest win total despite facing injuries. Fresh talent includes Dasha Osadova and Zoe Lui, who are poised to contribute significantly. Osadova had her best season yet with five singles wins, while Lui, ranked top among freshmen from Arizona, aims to build on her fall performance.
Opposing them is Auburn's formidable junior DJ Bennett, who was an NCAA singles finalist last year and holds a stellar 39-13 career singles record. Her performances this season have been equally impressive, maintaining a perfect record in top court appearances. As the Catamounts prepare for this critical match, they are also looking ahead to their upcoming schedule, which includes hosting Young Harris on January 25 and facing Davidson on February 1. Subsequent home games against Tusculum, Appalachian State, and Presbyterian promise more thrilling encounters as the season progresses.
This inaugural meeting between Western Carolina and Auburn sets the stage for an intense and competitive season opener. Both teams bring unique strengths and experiences to the court, making it a match that tennis enthusiasts won't want to miss. Fans can anticipate high-level play and strategic battles as these two squads vie for early-season dominance.