Eastern Illinois University Team Page

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- The Eastern Illinois women’s tennis squad hit past visiting IUPUI on Wednesday afternoon in the Panthers’ home opener, 5-2, snapping a four-match losing streak in the process.

Played on EIU’s Rex Darling Courts, the win improves EIU to 3-6 on the early spring slate as the Panthers could not have asked for better weather in their home opener, with partly sunny skies on a balmy and breezy day.

Right off the bat, all three Panther duos picked up relatively easy wins, capturing the all-important doubles point. The teams of Amanda Dibbs/Merritt Whitley and Shannon Brooks/Kristen Laird both picked up 8-4 victories at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles, respectively, while the twosome of Cara Huck/Annie Egan battled back to win an 8-5 No. 2 doubles match.

In singles action, Eastern picked up four wins over their IUPUI (0-11) opposition, with each win coming in straight sets, as junior Cara Huck (6-1, 6-0) and sophomore Shannon Brooks (6-0, 6-2) picked up victories in their respective No. 3 and No. 2 matchups.

Also adding to the Panther point total, two EIU newcomers also scored straight set victories, as Merritt Whitley and Kristen Laird outlasted their IUPUI opponent at the No. 4 and No. 5 spot, behind scores of 6-2, 6-0 and 6-2, 6-2, respectively.

Sophomore Amanda Dibbs and Annie Egan came up just a bit short at the top and bottom of the singles lineup, losing at 6-2, 6-2 and 6-3, 6-2, respectively, which accounted for the two lone Jaguar scores on the day. In exhibition play, junior transfer Carolyn Rutili lost an 8-2 bout to her IUPUI opponent.

The Panthers will have nearly two weeks off, including spring break next week, before opening Ohio Valley Conference action with two consecutive home meets versus league powers Tennessee Tech and UT Martin on March 21 and 24, respectively.