EASTERN ILLINOIS MEN at BALL STATE & SAINT FRANCIS (Ill.)
Event Details	at BSU | Noon | Sat., Feb. 8, 2014 | YMCA Tennis Center | Muncie, Ind.
	at USF | 10:45 a.m. | Sun., Feb. 9, 2014 | Challenge Fitness Club | Lockport, Ill.
EIU info	News | Roster | Schedule
BSU info	News | Roster | Schedule
USF info	News | Roster | Schedule

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Eastern Illinois men's tennis continues early-season indoor tennis action with road matches at Ball State and Saint Francis (Ill.) on Saturday (Feb. 8) and Sunday (Feb. 9).

Matches will be held inside the respective warm confines of the Muncie, Ind., YMCA and Lockport Challenge Fitness Club, with first serves set for noon and 10:45 a.m.

The Panthers enter the match at 1-1 overall, following a tough 7-0 road loss to Michigan State last weekend.

The Cardinals of BSU sit at 2-1 on the season, which also includes a 7-0 defeat to the Spartans. The Fighting Saints of USF, meanwhile, are 1-0 on the early season.

Three EIU men -- sophomore Ryan Henderson at No. 2, classmate Robert Skolik at No. 4, and senior Kevin Bauman at No. 5 -- all sport 1-1 marks in early season singles play, as Bauman now owns an even 22-22 Panther career tally, while Henderson is 6-4 all-time in an Eastern uniform.

In doubles, the teams of Henderson and sophomore Rui Silva, as well as junior David Constantinescu and newcomer Grant Thompson all own 1-1 duo records.

"We are very excited for this weekend and have been working very hard in practice this week," said EIU assistant director of tennis/men's head coach Eric Stark. "Last week was a great learning experience and the guys have definitely responded and the energy has never been higher. I'm looked forward to seeing how we play this weekend against a well coached and good Ball State team before the quick turnaround versus a strong Saint Francis squad."

Following this weekend's action, the Panthers continue road play a week from Sunday (Feb. 16), as EIU travels to Dayton for a 1 p.m. contest.

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