GALESBURG, Ill. - The Western Illinois Men's Tennis squad won each singles match in a 4-1 win over SIUE in its home opener in Galesburg on Sunday, March 20.

The Fighting Leathernecks (4-10) snapped a three match losing streak in their victory over the Cougars (0-9) and won their second-straight match at home dating back to last season.

"I was pleased with our play in singles on Saturday against Illinois State," said head coach Chris Kane. "That quality of singles play carried over to yesterday's match with SIUE."

Western Illinois won each of the four singles matches, which were finished and led in the two unfinished matches at the No. 5 and 6 singles positions.

"Jeff Cote won against a player he had won only one game from last year," said Kane. "Mandela Shepard served great and played with a lot of confidence and Patrick Hammers recovered from an 0-5 start to win in three sets. Alejandro Buceta was flying around the court in his singles match and covered everything in winning easily; our singles play was excellent all-around."

Cote won his contest at the No. 1 spot (6-2, 6-2) while Shepard also won in straight sets (6-3, 6-2) in the No. 2 position. Hammers recovered from a first set loss to win (2-6, 6-1, 6-1) in No. 3 singles.

Buceta won the final completed singles match at the No. 4 spot 6-3, 6-2. Francisco Ortiz and Jim Capalbo each led 2-1 in their matches at the No. 5 and 6 positions but the matches went unfinished.

In doubles play, SIUE won the point by winning at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles by scores of 9-7 and 8-5. The Western Illinois team of Hammers and Ben Yue were leading 7-5 in the No. 3 doubles match, which went unfinished.

The Leathernecks will return to the court at Bradley on Wednesday, March 23 before playing host to Centenary, IPFW and South Dakota State in Summit League action this weekend.