MACOMB, Ill.- Western Illinois women's tennis battled through a tightly contested matchup on Friday but came up just short in a 4–3 decision after a match that featured multiple three-set battles and a dramatic finish in singles play.

The Leathernecks started strong by claiming the doubles point, taking two of three courts. Mana Fawcett and Jessica Hess were first off the court at No. 1 doubles with a convincing 6-2 win. Nour Gueblaoui and Chloe Routier followed with a solid 6-3 victory at No. 3 to secure the early 1-0 team lead.

In singles, the match quickly turned into a grind. Fawcett delivered a key comeback at No. 2, bouncing back after dropping the first set to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Routier added another point at No. 3 singles, rallying from a set down for a 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 victory.

However, the visitors answered on the remaining courts. Richardlyne Francois fell in a three-set battle at No. 1 singles (6-3, 4-6, 6-2), and Gueblaoui dropped a tough straight-set match at No. 4 (7-5, 6-1). Jessica Hess battled at No. 5 but came up short 6-4, 7-5, while Madeleine Whip pushed her match to a tiebreak in the second set before falling 6-2, 7-6 at No. 6.

With singles split across the lineup, the match ultimately hinged on depth in the lower courts, where the visitors secured the final two points to seal the 4-3 team result.

Western Illinois showed resilience with two three-set singles wins and a strong doubles showing, but the narrow margin underscored just how competitive the afternoon was from start to finish. The Leathernecks will come back tomorrow to face St. Thomas at 11 am. 

FOLLOW THE LEATHERNECKS

For all the latest information on Leatherneck Women's Tennis, please visit GoLeathernecks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Leathernecks on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.