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Laura Ballesteros
Sarah Twidwell

Tennis Concludes Fall Opener

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

WIU continues the fall slate at the Olivet Nazarene Invitational Sept. 13-14

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The Western Illinois Tennis team opened the 2019 fall season at the SIUE Fall Invite and concluded the weekend action on Saturday (Sept. 7).

"The team fought hard out there this weekend, and I'm proud of them," first-year head coach Shawn Hyden said. "It was a great learning experience for all the freshmen in their first collegiate matches."

Day 1: singles vs. EIU, doubles vs. SIUE and SLU

The first of four in-state tournaments featured both singles and doubles battles against Eastern Illinois, Saint Louis and host Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. 

Western traveled all four newcomers to SIUE, and Lucky Kancherla led the Leathernecks with a strong performance in the No. 1 singles. She forced a tiebracker set against her matchup from EIU after a 6-1 set two win but was just outlasted 10-7 in the third set.  

Nikhita Simhambhatla also fought hard falling 7-6, 6-3 in the No. 2 spot. Grace Stevens (No. 3) and Ericka Dawson (No. 4) wrapped up singles play falling in two sets each. 

Doubles play feathered Kancherla and Simhambhatla (No. 1) along with Dawson and Stevens (No. 2) falling to both the Cougars and Billikens to finish the first day. 

Day 2: singles vs. SIUE and SLU, doubles vs. EIU

The Purple and Gold kicked off the final day with singles versus host SIUE. Simhambhatla put the pressure on in No. 2 singles in the second set but was topped 7-6. She finished her singles matchup falling 6-2, 6-2 against SLU.

Kancherla (No. 1), Dawson (No. 3) and Stevens (No. 4) each lost in two sets against their opponents to finalize singles play at the invite for Western Illinois.  

WIU ended the first test of the fall with both doubles teams of Kanchurla and Simhambhatla, Dawson and Stevens falling 6-1 to EIU. 

The Leathernecks continues the fall slate at the Olivet Nazarene Invitational from Sept. 13-14. 

 
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