PEORIA, Ill. -- Eastern Illinois women's tennis snapped a three-match losing streak on Friday afternoon, downing Bradley, 5-2, to improve to 3-3 on the early season.

The Panthers picked up the all-important doubles point to open the match as the teams of Merritt Whitley/Cara Huck and Jennifer Kim/Shannon Brooks downed their respective Bradley opponents by scores of 8-2 and 8-1, respectively.

Then in singles action, EIU would take four to earn the 5-2 victory over the Braves (2-8).

Freshman Janelle Prisner battled back from a first-set deficit to win the next two frames at the top of the lineup.

Meanwhile, the three juniors -- Shannon Brooks, Amanda Dibbs and Annie Egan -- all captured straight set wins at the No. 4 thru No. 6 spot.

Eastern gets back to the court on Sunday, traveling to IUPUI for a 5 pm match at the Five Seasons Country Club on Sunday (March 6).

Then following this weekend of play, the Panthers will open the outdoor season next week, joining the EIU men in a home-opening dual versus Chicago State on Thursday (March 10), weather permitting.  First serve is scheduled for noon at Eastern's own Rex Darling Courts.

EIU Women 5, Bradley Women 2
3/4/2011 at Peoria, Ill.
Clubs at River City

Singles competition
1. Janelle Prisner (EIU) def. Nicole Miller (BU) - 4-6, 6-4, 6-1
2. Sarah Rodefeld (BU) def. Merritt Whitley (EIU) - 6-4, 6-2
3. Adele Henke (BU) def. Jennifer Kim (EIU) - 6-3, 7-5
4. Shannon Brooks (EIU) def. Meredith McDonagh (BU) - 6-3, 6-2
5. Amanda Dibbs (EIU) def. Ashley Roth (BU) - 6-1, 6-1
6. Annie Egan (EIU) def. Briggitte Graf (BU) - 6-0, 6-0

Doubles
1. Miller/Henke (BU) def. Dibbs/Prisner (EIU) - 8-4
2. Whitley/Cara Huck (EIU) def. McDonagh/Rodefeld (BU) - 8-2
3. Kim/Brooks (EIU) def. Graf/Roth (BU) - 8-1

Eastern Illinois (3-3) ... Bradley (2-8)

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