Men’s Tennis Drops Season Opener to Eastern Illinois

Leathernecks look to bounce back in home opener Saturday against Illinois-Springfield

Box Score

CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Western Illinois men's tennis team opened up the 2016 season on Friday, February 5, as the Leathernecks traveled to face in-state foe Eastern Illinois. The Purple and Gold were unable to get anything going, dropping a 7-0 decision to the Panthers.

"For our first match of the season, everyone had the opportunity to compete this afternoon," said head coach Mashsika Washington. "EIU was competitive and was able to earn the victory."

The Leathernecks (0-1) found themselves in an early hole, as EIU (1-3) swept all three doubles matches. The duo of Nikola Pavlovic and Surya Sawhney fought at the No. 1 spot, but ultimately fell, 6-3. The pairs of Ross Smith/Nolan Jones and Jacob Sanders/Brady Smith each dropped 6-1 matches at the No. 2 and 3 spots, respectively.

At the No. 3 singles spot, Ross Smith bounced back from a 6-2 defeat in the opening set to take the second set, 6-3. Western was unable to get on the board, however, as Smith was outlasted, 10-4, in the third set tiebreaker. Pavlovic took to No. 1 singes, but fell, 6-2, 6-4. Kerry Nozum, making his collegiate dual debut, fell by a 6-1, 6-1 score at No. 6 singles.

Jones and Sanders dropped their No. 4 and 5 singles match, respectively, 6-1, 6-1, and Sawhney was defeated 6-0, 6-0 at the No. 2 spot.

Western looks to get back on track in its home opener on Saturday, Feb. 6, against Illinois-Springfield. First serve in Galesburg is set for 12:30 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Nikola Pavlovic: Senior

Jacob Sanders: Sophomore

Surya Sawhney: Sophomore

Ross Smith: Senior

Nolan Jones: Freshman

Kerry Nozum: Senior

Brady Smith: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Nikola Pavlovic
: Senior

Jacob Sanders
: Sophomore

Surya Sawhney
: Sophomore

Ross Smith
: Senior

Nolan Jones
: Freshman

Kerry Nozum
: Senior

Brady Smith
: Freshman