MACOMB, Ill.- Western Illinois women's tennis came up just short in a tightly contested 3–4 match at Illinois State, with several courts going down to the wire.

The Redbirds gained the early edge by securing the doubles point with wins at No. 2 and No. 3. The Leathernecks countered with a strong showing at No. 1 doubles, where Jessica Hess and Mana Fawcett battled to a 6–4 victory, but Illinois State carried a 1–0 lead into singles play.

WIU kept the pressure on throughout singles, refusing to let the match slip away. At No. 3 singles, Fawcett delivered one of the Leathernecks' top performances of the afternoon, earning a straight-set win to put WIU on the board. Illinois State answered with victories on the top courts, and despite a hard-fought effort from Hess at No. 5, the Redbirds secured the fourth and clinching point before the remaining matches wrapped up.

Western Illinois showed resilience up and down the lineup in a competitive road battle and will look to bounce back in its next outing against Chicago State.

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