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Ericka Dawson
Rachael Keating

Leathernecks to Open League Play on Saturday against Kansas City

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

Tennis hosts the Roos in their first home match of the season

Who | Western Illinois (1-5, 0-0) vs. Kansas City (2-5, 1-0)
When | Saturday, March 20 at 2 p.m.
Where | Macomb, Illinois
Social Media | Twitter + Facebook #TRADITIONofTOUGH

Home Sweet Home | For the first time in almost two years, the Western Illinois women's tennis team will host a home match after their original home opener against Denver was postponed last week. The Leathernecks kickoff Summit League play against the Kansas City Roos on Saturday (March 20) in Macomb.

Tickets / COVID-19 Protocols | After thorough discussion and consultation with university leaders, Western Illinois Athletics decided to decrease seating at all outdoor events this spring; the change limits entry to family members of student-athletes and staff.  Student-athletes will be permitted to have only their families in attendance, admitted via the player pass list. 

Last Time Out | Western fell to the Bradley Braves earlier this week 7-0. In singles play, Agatha Carbonell took her first set at No. 1, 6-1. However, Bradley's Bozana Lojpur wasn't going down without a fight and took set number two 6-4. The two put it all on the line in the deciding set, with Lojpur getting the edge on the Leatherneck freshman 10-6, giving the Braves their second point of the day. This was the second time this season that Carbonell took her matchup to the third frame. Lorena Castellanos (No. 1), Maria Rybka (No.4), Nikhita Simhambhatla (No. 6), Kancherla (No. 5), and Cortina-Pou (No. 3) were all defeated in straight sets securing the Braves' 7-0 sweep. 

Double Trouble | The duo of Aina Cortina-Pou and Lucky Kancherla were able to run away with a 6-2 win on Tuesday in the No.2 spot against Bradley. The win marked the second doubles victory of the season for the pair. 

Plenty of Firsts | The Leathernecks 7-0 victory over St. Francis (Ill.) on Valentine's Day marked the first win of the season for Western and firsts for a few members of the team. The match was the first win for head coach Shawn Hyden at WIU, and it featured the first career wins for Lorena Castellanos, Aina Cortina-Pou, Agatha Carbonell, and Maria Rybka.

Scouting the Roos | Kansas City opened up their season on a dry streak, losing their first five matchups. Currently, the Roos hold a two-match winning streak, beating Saint Louis on March 11 and opening Summit League play with a 4-3 victory over South Dakota. A shining star on the Roos' squad this season is senior Thanushree Vale. The Chennai, India native boasts a 5-2 singles record this season and a key doubles victory with partner Riddhi Sharma that helped secure Kansas City's lone point against Western Michigan earlier this season. The Leathernecks and the Roos haven't done battle since March 16, 2015, a 7-0 Roos win. Western Illinois still holds the series lead 6-5.

Up Next | Western Illinois continues league play on the road when they travel to North Dakota to take on the Fighting Hawks on March 26. 
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