Women’s Tennis Drops Season Opener to Eastern Illinois

Leathernecks look to bounce back tomorrow at Illinois State

BOX SCORE

GALESBURG, Ill. – The Western Illinois women's tennis team dropped a 7-0 decision to the Eastern Illinois Panthers during its 2016 season opener on Saturday (Jan. 30) in Galesburg, Illinois. The defeat moves the Leathernecks to 0-1 on the season while Eastern moves to 2-1.

"For our first match of the season, I feel we played well against a very experienced EIU team," said Lisa Melz-Jennings. "With only two weeks of practice under our belts and playing how we did, I am excited for the rest of the season."

The Panthers got off to a quick lead in doubles action as they won at the No. 3 spot by default. The Panthers clinched the doubles point at the No. 2 spot, as the duo of Arianna Demos and Nicole Jones fell by a 6-2 decision. Courtney Lubbers and Maria Bessmertnaya played at the No. 1 spot for Western, but fell to Hannah Kimbrough and Grace Summers, 6-1.

In singles action, Jenna Wallace battled at No. 5 after dropping the first set 6-2. She bounced back in the second set that went to a tiebreaker where she ultimately picked up the 9-7 decision and forced a third set tiebreaker. Wallace kept it close in the 10-point tiebreaker, but fell 12-10.

Lubbers fell in the first set at the No. 1 spot, 6-1, but bounced back to take the second set 7-5 before ultimately falling in the third set, 6-3. Bessmertnaya fell to Kimbrough in the No. 2 spot, 6-4, 6-4. In the No. 3 spot, Demos forced the first set to go to a tiebreaker where she ultimately fell 8-6, and dropped the second set, 6-1. Jones fell in No. 4 singles, 6-4, 6-1. The No. 6 singles match was claimed by Eastern Illinois by default.

Western looks to bounce back tomorrow (Jan. 31) with a match at Illinois State. First serve in Normal, Illinois, is set for 1 p.m.

Tweet #W1U

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Arianna Demos: Sophomore

Nicole Jones: Junior

Courtney Lubbers: Sophomore

Jenna Wallace: Junior

Maria Bessmertnaya: Sophomore; Akron

Players Mentioned

Arianna Demos
: Sophomore

Nicole Jones
: Junior

Courtney Lubbers
: Sophomore

Jenna Wallace
: Junior

Maria Bessmertnaya
: Sophomore; Akron