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PADUCAH, Ky. – Eastern Illinois women's tennis ended the 2013 campaign at 13-6 overall after falling to top seed Eastern Kentucky, 4-0, in Ohio Valley Conference Tournament semifinal action on Saturday afternoon (April 20).

The Panthers finished a fine season as the No. 4 Seed at the annual end-of-season event with a 7-3 record in league play.

EIU opened the match by dropping the all-important doubles point to the all-international squad Colonels (18-6), with All-OVC honorees Janelle Prisner and Merritt Whitley claiming the lone 8-6 win at the top of the duo lineup.

Then in singles action, newcomer Ali Foster fell in straight sets to her No. 4 EKU opponent, followed by respective No. 1 and No. 2 individual losses by Prisner and sophomore Sephora Boulbahaiem, also in straight sets.

Boulbahaiem did push her Colonel opponent to the limit dropping the second frame by a close 7-5 score.

The season finale match ended the Panther careers of seniors Whitley and Kristen Laird, yet EIU will return six players from this season's fine campaign.

#4-EIU Women 4, #5-APSU Women 0
April 19, 2013 in Paducah, Ky.
(Heflin Tennis Center)

Singles
1. Amandine Faouzi (EKU) def. Janelle Prisner (EIU) - 6-2, 6-3
2. Kristina Labeja (EKU) def. Sephora Boulbahaiem (EIU) - 6-2, 7-5
3. Saioa Oscoz (EKU) vs. Merritt Whitley (EIU) - unfinished
4. Melissa Gerritsen (EKU) def. Ali Foster (EIU) - 6-0, 6-0
5. Milena Poffo (EKU) vs. Jennifer Kim (EIU) - unfinished
6. Marcela Jimenez (EKU) vs. Hannah Kimbrough (EIU) - unfinished

Doubles
1. Prisner/Whitley (EIU) def. Labeja/Gerritsen (EKU) - 8-6
2. Oscoz/Poffo (EKU) def. Boulbahaiem/Kimbrough (EIU) - 8-2
3. Faouzi/Carmen Rodriguez (EKU) def. Foster/Kristen Laird (EIU) - 8-5

Match Notes:
Eastern Illinois ... 13-6
Eastern Kentucky ... 18-6

Order of finish:  Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (4,1,2)
2013 OVC Championship ... Semifinal
T-3:15

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