CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO – The WIU tennis team fell just short against conference opponents, Southeast Missouri.

In doubles play, the Leathernecks won one and dropped two. At the No. 1 the pair of Nour Gueblaoui and Richardlyne Francois held their own, but ultimately suffered a close 5-7 loss. The team of Chloé Routier and Mana Fawcett looked unstoppable at No. 2, as they recorded a win, scoring 6-3 against their opponents. Lara Souza made her return from injury, teaming up with Paige Grice to play at No. 3. The pair could not find their groove, suffering a 2-6 loss to give SEMO the opening point. 

In singles play, Routier played at No. 1 suffering a 1-6, 0-6 loss. At No. 6, Anna Trush filled in for Souza, but ultimately fell short with a score of 1-6 and 2-6. Gueblaoui held her own at No. 5 but could not capitalize, suffering a 3-6, 4-6 loss. 

Grice recorded the first singles win for WIU going to war against her opponent. Paige had a three set battle at No. 3 dropping the first, 4-6, but bouncing back in strong fashion winning the next two scoring 7-5 and 10-6. Francois showed why she won singles player of the week at No. 2, as she secured the second singles win for the Leathernecks. Richardlyne took the first set 6-2, and dropped the second 4-6, before taking the third set with a score of 10-5. Fawcett played at No. 4, taking her match to three sets. Mana dropped the first set with a score of 2-6, but returned the favor in the second set scoring 6-1. The final set saw Fawcett come back from behind, but ultimately fall short with a score of 5-7, bringing the match score to 2-5 in favor of SEMO.

WIU Tennis returns home to take on Kansas City Friday March 28 and SIUE Saturday March 29.

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