The Western Carolina University (WCU) Catamounts women's tennis team is serving up some spring break action in Orlando, Florida! This week, they're trading textbooks for tennis balls as they face off against the Quinnipiac Bobcats and the Penn Quakers in neutral-site matches. It's a unique experience for these student-athletes as they balance academics with the demands of competition.
The Catamounts are set to play the Quinnipiac Bobcats on March 12, 2026, at 1:30 pm, followed by the Penn Quakers on March 13, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. Both matches will be held at neutral sites in Orlando. These contests are part of the Catamounts' 2026 spring schedule, which includes a total of 20 matches: seven at home, ten on the road, and three at neutral locations.
WCU enters these matches with an overall record of 2-8 and a 0-1 standing in Southern Conference (SoCon) play. Key players for the Catamounts include Mariya Dobreva and Mia Miranda. Dobreva recently secured a singles victory and teamed up with Miranda for a doubles win against UNC Asheville. Miranda also clinched a straight-sets singles win in that match.
Opponents
The Quinnipiac Bobcats enter today's match with a 5–6 overall record. and, according to Quinnipiac University Athletics, are 0–0 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Standout players for Quinnipiac include Willow Renton, Anagha Shankar, and Isabella Baker, all of whom secured straight-sets singles wins in their recent 4–0 victory over URI. Notably, the roster also features Asheville’s own Ella Lewis, who has been a key contributor for the Bobcats this season.
The Penn Quakers currently hold a 6–6 overall record and are 0–0 in the Ivy League. The Quakers are led by standout junior Esha Velaga, who recently qualified for the NCAA Singles Championships, and senior Maya Urata. Both teams are currently competing in Orlando, Florida, during their spring break stretch.
Spring Break in the Sunshine State
These matches in Orlando align with WCU's spring break, which runs from March 9-13. With no classes during this time, the team can focus on fine-tuning their performance before returning home. The neutral-site matches provide an opportunity to compete against teams with NCAA tournament experience, such as Quinnipiac.
Looking ahead, the Catamounts will return home to face Marshall on March 18 and Furman on March 19. They will then hit the road for matches against Samford on March 22 and Chattanooga on March 26.