The Eastern Kentucky University women’s tennis team pushed undefeated Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to the verge of its first loss of the season, but the Cougars held on for a 4-3 win.
SIUE (13-0, 3-0 OVC) earned the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 2.
The Colonels (6-8, 2-2 OVC) however won the first three singles matches to go on top 3-1 and get within a point of claiming the match.
Viktorija Demcenkova beat Morgan Steffes, 6-3 and 6-4, at No. 3 singles. Sagung Putri Dwinta knocked off Tiffany Hollebeck, 6-2 and 6-4, at No. 4 singles. Margaux Lacroix earned a 6-2 and 6-2 win over Lara Tupper at No. 5 singles.
The Cougars tied the match with wins at No. 1 and No. 2 singles. Callaghan Adams edged Marina Marti, 6-3 and 6-4, at No. 6 singles to give the match to SIU Edwardsville.
“It was a big home court advantage for SIUE today,” EKU Head Coach Rob Oertel said. “I have a feeling we’ll see this team again at the tournament. We look forward to the challenge. As I said before, a lot of these OVC matches are going to come down to 4-3 scores, we just have to learn from these.”
The Colonels continue Ohio Valley Conference play on Friday at home against Jacksonville State. The match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
SIUE 4, Eastern Kentucky University 3
Singles competition
1. Lexi Aranda (SIUE) def. Kristina Lagoda (EKU) 6-3, 6-1
2. Mia Frogner (SIUE) def. Laura Argente (EKU) 6-3, 6-2
3. Viktorija Demcenkova (EKU) def. Morgan Steffes (SIUE) 6-3, 6-4
4. Sagung Putri Dwinta (EKU) def. Tiffany Hollebeck (SIUE) 6-2, 6-4
5. Margaux Lacroix (EKU) def. Lara Tupper (SIUE) 6-2, 6-2
6. Callaghan Adams (SIUE) def. Marina Marti (EKU) 6-3, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. Tiffany Hollebeck/Mia Frogner (SIUE) def. Kristina Lagoda/Viktorija Demcenkova (EKU) 6-0
2. Lexi Aranda/Morgan Steffes (SIUE) def. Laura Argente/Sagung Putri Dwinta (EKU) 6-1
3. Lara Tupper/Callaghan Adams (SIUE) vs. Raquel Montalvo/Marina Marti (EKU) unfinished
Match Notes:
Eastern Kentucky University 6-8 (2-2 OVC)
SIUE 13-0 (3-0 OVC
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2*,3); Singles (3,4,5,1,2,6*)
Official: Vicki Elwood
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Kevin Britton
Assistant Athletics Director for Communications & Branding
