KANSAS CITY, MO. - The Western Illinois women's tennis team opened up its Spring Break trip Monday (March 16) afternoon, taking part in a double dual with Oral Roberts and UMKC. The Leathernecks battled, but were unable to find their way into the victory column, falling to ORU, 5-2, and UMKC, 7-0. Western falls to 1-14 (0-3) on the season after Monday's action.
"Today the girls really worked hard and we improved a lot at No. 2 doubles against Oral Roberts," said head coach
Raquel Allen. "
Courtney Lubbers played a solid match at No. 1 from the beginning to the end and was able to win against a very tough opponent."
Western opened play against the Golden Eagles in a neutral site Summit League contest. The Purple and Gold were forced to forfeit the No. 3 doubles position, as the team only had five players dressed. Needing to take both matches to secure the point, the Leathernecks fell just shy, as the duo of
Courtney Lubbers and
Jenna Wallace dropped a 8-3 decision at the No. 1 spot. The No. 2 was still contested, even though the Golden Eagles had secured the point, and the Leathernecks emerged victorious. The duo of
Nicole Jones and
Arianna Demos pulled out a 8-7 (7-5) victory over the team of Puentes/Gordan.
In singles action, WIU found victory at the No. 1 and 4 positions behind stellar performances from Lubbers and Jones. Lubbers, competing at the top singles spot, picked up a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Andrada Gordon. Jones had secured the first set of her No. 4 singles match, 6-1, and was leading 1-0 in the second set when she won by default. Elsewhere, Wallace and Demos dropped 6-2, 6-3 matches at the No. 2 and 3 spots, respectively.
Andriana Johnson fell, 6-0, 6-1, at the No. 5 spot, and the No. 6 match was forfeited.
The second dual against the 'Roos of UMKC was a tough battle, as Western fell, 7-0. UMKC picked up a pair of doubles victories at No. 1 and 2, 6-2 and 6-3, respectively. Western once again had to forfeit the No. 3 match.
Once singles play began, it went the way of the hosts, as UMKC picked up six closely contested straight-sets victories and a victory by forfeit. Lubbers (6-3, 6-4) and Wallace (6-3, 6-3) fought hard at the top two spots for the Purple and Gold. The duo was followed by Demos (7-5, 6-2) and Jones (6-2, 6-4) and another pair of well played matches. The final match featured Johnson falling, 6-0, 6-2.
"It is really exciting to coach a team that is constantly improving each day," added Allen. "I am very proud of our commitment today and how hard they fought in both matches."
Western Illinois hits the courts this Friday, March 20, as the team travels to Carbondale, Illinois, to take on in-state foe Southern Illinois. First serve is set for 12 p.m. and will kick-off a stretch of five matches in three days for the Purple and Gold.
