EIU/WMU Women's Match Program (PDF)

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Despite being in the midst of a typically frigid Illinois winter, the Eastern Illinois men's and women's tennis squads will open the 2012 slate this weekend.  The Panther women are set to host Western Michigan in Danville on Friday, prior to joining the EIU men in a road match at Dayton on Sunday.

The Panthers return a combined 12 players from 2011, where the men finished 2-10 overall and 1-6 in OVC dual meets, while the EIU women went 6-10 all-time and 2-6 in the league, respectively.

Top returners for the men include seniors Jamie Firth and Matyas Hilgert, as each ended with identical 2-5 singles marks in Ohio Valley Conference action.  Juniors Warren Race and Michael Sperry also join sophomore returners Kevin Bauman and Volodymyr Zverkovsky.

EIU duo of Bauman and Race were a highlight last season as the two combined for a 5-1 mark in league action at the No. 3 doubles spot.

The women return the senior trio of Shannon Brooks, Amanda Dibbs and Annie Egan as the three went 7-7, 8-7 and 5-7 overall, respectively, last season.  Brooks finished with a 5-3 mark in conference singles action.

Junior returners include Kristen Laird and Merritt Whitley, while sophomore Janelle Prisner had a fine doubles mark as a true freshman in 2011 off a 5-3 record, playing mostly at the top of the duo lineup.  Classmate Jennifer Kim ended the year a 5-6 at both No. 2 and No. 3 doubles.

Following the women's Friday's 1 p.m. opener against the 1-1 Broncos, the two units will travel to Dayton to compete against the Flyers at 2 p.m.

The Dayton men open the season versus fellow OVC foe Eastern Kentucky on Saturday, while the Flyer women, at 0-1, will battle Ball State prior to hosting the Panthers.

Following the early season action this weekend, the Panther men will head to Saint Louis on Feb. 3, while the Eastern women hosts instate rival Southern Illinois in Danville at 1 p.m. on Feb. 4.

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