MOREHEAD, Ky. -- The Eastern Illinois men's and women's tennis squads lost their respective matches at Morehead State on Sunday, as the Eagles hit past the Panthers in Ohio Valley Conference action, 5-2 on the men's side and 7-0 for the women.

The match was moved indoors due to inclement weather.  The losses drop the Panther men and women to 3-12 (0-3 OVC) and 4-9 (1-3 OVC), respectively.

Senior Jeff Rutherford won a nailbiter over his Morehead opponent at the top of the lineup, battling back after being down 6-7 (0-6) in the opening set to take the final two by 6-3 and 6-4.

Sophomore Matyas Hilgert picked up the other Eastern singles victory, winning in straight sets at the No. 4 spot.

EIU lost the all-important doubles point, however Jamie Firth and Michael Sperry teamed up to win the lone Panther duo match, 8-6.

For the women, the EIU duo of Shannon Brooks and Juliana Frey picked up the only Panther victory, in their 8-6 win at No. 3 doubles. Morehead State won the doubles point by taking both the No. 1 and No. 2 matchups and then preceded to win all six singles matches. 

The Panthers will next host Jacksonville State and Tennessee State this coming Friday and Saturday. 

MOR Men 5, EIU Men 2
Mar 28, 2010 at Morehead, Ky.
(Wellness Center Courts)

Singles
1. Jeff Rutherford (EIU) def. ANDERSON, Greg (MOR) - 6-7 (0-6), 6-3, 6-4
2. SUNDGREN, Jerry (MOR) def. Jamie Firth (EIU) - 6-1, 6-1
3. BRYAN, Bradley (MOR) def. Warren Race (EIU) - 6-1, 3-6, 6-3
4. Matyas Hilgert (EIU) def. BLUM, Nathan (MOR) - 6-3, 6-2
5. MILOVANOVIC, Dusan (MOR) def. Justin Haag (EIU) - 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
6. MARTIN, Nathan (MOR) def. Michael Sperry (EIU) - 6-3, 4-6, 10-4

Doubles
1. ANDERSON/SUNDGREN (MOR) def. Rutherford/Haag (EIU) - 9-7
2. BRYAN/MEDCALF, Lovell (MOR) def. Race/Hilgert (EIU) - 8-3
3. Firth/Sperry (EIU) def. MARTIN/BLUM (MOR) - 8-6

Match Notes:
Eastern Illinois 3-12 (0-3 OVC)
Ohio Valley Conference match

...............

MOR Women 7, EIU Women 0
Mar 28, 2010 at Morehead, Ky.
(Wellness Center Courts)

Singles
1. Alix Young (MOR) def. Cara Huck (EIU) - 6-3, 6-0
2. Alexandra Rydberg (MOR) def. Amanda Dibbs (EIU) - 6-2, 6-4
3. Kayla Tuscany (MOR) def. Shannon Brooks (EIU) - 6-4, 6-1
4. Madeleinne Antero (MOR) def. Merritt Whitley (EIU) - 8-2
5. Lauren Delaney (MOR) def. Juliana Frey (EIU) - 8-4
6. Brooke Helms (MOR) def. Annie Egan - 8-2

Doubles
1. Antero/Delaney (MOR) def. Whitley/Dibbs (EIU) - 9-7
2. Young/Rydberg (MOR) def. Huck/Egan (EIU) - 8-6
3. Brooks/Frey (EIU) def. Helms/Tuscany (MOR) - 8-6 

Match Notes:
Eastern Illinois 4-9 (1-3 OVC)
Ohio Valley Conference match

... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID