By Emma Hicken, Leatherneck Athletic Communications

MACOMB, Ill.- The Leathernecks drop their home match against the Lindenwood Lions in conference play, moving to 5-11 overall and 2-1 in OVC action.

Western Illinois showed early strength by securing the doubles point. At No. 1, Mana Fawcett and Jessica Hess earned a 6-3 victory, while Richardlyne Francois and Denver Johnson followed with a strong 6-2 win at No. 3. The No. 2 pairing of Nadezhda Petkova and Nour Gueblaoui was leading 4-3 before the match went unfinished.

In singles play, the Leathernecks battled but ultimately came up short. Fawcett competed at No. 1, falling 2-6, 6-2, 3-6. Francois dropped her match at No. 2, 2-6, 3-6, while Gueblaoui pushed her opponent at No. 3 before falling 2-6, 6-2, 5-7. At No. 4, Hess forced a tiebreak but fell 3-6, 7-6, 1-6, and Petkova dropped her match at No. 5, 7-6, 1-6, 2-6. Johnson closed out the day at No. 6 with a 7-6, 3-6, 3-6 result.

The Leathernecks will look to bounce back as they wrap up their home stretch against the SEMO Redhawks on April 3.

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