DANVILLE, Ill. -- The Eastern Illinois women's tennis squad moved to 2-0 on the early season following a 5-2 victory over Northern Illinois on Friday afternoon, as the match was played at the indoor Danville Tennis Center.

“I thought the team did an excellent job of following our game plan in a relaxed, confident fashion today," said EIU head coach John Blackburn.  "I believe that if we can continue to do that this season we will be very successful this year. We're looking forward to an exciting match tomorrow against IPFW.”

The Panthers picked up the all-important doubles point as the duos of Amanda Dibbs/Kristen Laird and Janelle Prisner/Jennifer Kim each topped their respective Huskie opponents at No. 2 and No. 3 Doubles by scores of 8-5 and 8-4.

Eastern then proceeded to win four of six singles matchups, as Prisner, Kim and Merritt Whitley each won their matches in straight sets in the top three spots of the lineup.  In addition, Annie Egan picked up a consecutive set win at No. 6 Singles.

The Panthers will next join the men's squad for a dual meet at IPFW tomorrow evening, prior to eventually traveling to fellow instate rival Southern Illinois in two weeks.

EIU Women 5, NIU Women 2
Friday, February 4, 2011
Danville Tennis Center, Danville, Ill.

Singles
1. Janelle Prisner (EIU) def. Emily Rogers (NIU) - 6-3, 6-2
2. Jennifer Kim (EIU) def. Martina Schnapp (NIU) - 6-4, 6-1
3. Merritt Whitley (EIU) def. Sara McLaughlin (NIU) - 7-5, 7-5
4. Kelly Phillips (NIU) def. Amanda Dibbs (EIU) - 6-2, 6-4
5. Haley Dekkinga (NIU) def. Cara Huck (EIU) - 6-0, 7-5
6. Annie Egan (EIU) def. Ilse Pacheco (NIU) - 6-4, 6-4

Doubles
1. Phillips/Rogers (NIU) def. Whitley/Huck (EIU) - 8-5
2. Dibbs/Kristen Laird (EIU) def. Dekkinga/Pacheco (NIU) - 8-5
3. Prisner/Kim (EIU) def. McLaughlin/Schnapp (NIU) - 8-4 

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