FORT WAYNE, Ind.- For the second straight year, the Western Illinois women's tennis team had its hopes for a NCAA Tournament automatic bid ended in the semifinals of the conference tournament after losing to Oral Roberts, Friday, 4-1, at the Dr. Rudy and Rhonda Kachmann Tennis Center.

"Congratulations to Oral Roberts," said Western Illinois head coach Michael Hunt. "We made a run at it, but they just had a bit more experience."

The Westerwinds (11-12) got off to a good start after taking the doubles point from the Golden Eagles (10-10). After dropping the first doubles match at No. 2, Western rebounded to win the final two matches. Sophomore Amanda Griffin and junior Zi Wang easily defeated Emily Arkell and Rafaela Souza, 8-2, at No. 1 doubles. Freshman Kate Kennedy and sophomore Ashley Clark matched that result with an 8-2 win over Tayler Pippen and Whitney Johnson at No. 3 doubles.

However, the Westerwinds could not find the win column in the rest of the matches as Oral Roberts took four straight singles matches to end Western's season.

"I'm very proud of the progress that this team made throughout the year," stated Hunt. "I'm already looking forward to next year."

Singles

1. Emily Arkell (ORU) led Amanda Griffin (WIU), 7-6, 5-5 (DNF)

2. Hayden Rush (ORU) led Kim Lennartsson (WIU), 3-6, 6-2, 3-1 (DNF)

3. Rafaela Souza (ORU) def. Zi Wang (WIU), 6-1, 6-4

4. Taylor Pippen (ORU) def. Ashley Clark (WIU), 7-5, 6-3

5. Ana Costa (ORU) def. Kate Kennedy (WIU), 6-4, 6-2

6. Corrine Langston (ORU) def. Yana Meinert (WIU), 7-5, 6-4

Doubles

1. Griffin/Wang (WIU) def. Arkell/Souza (ORU), 8-2

2. Rush/Costa (ORU) def. Lennartsson/Meinert (WIU), 8-3

3. Clark/Kennedy (WIU) def. Pippen/Whitney Johnson (ORU), 8-2