MUNCIE & BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Eastern Illinois men's and women's tennis dropped Sunday (Jan. 25) afternoon contests at Ball State and Indiana by respective 5-2 and 6-1 scores.

The Panther men move to 0-2 in the early-season while the EIU women fell in the squad's season-opener.

Versus the Cardinals of BSU, juniors Robert Skolik and Ryan Henderson each garnered wins at No. 3 and No.4 singles, with Henderson battling back after being down a set.

Classmate Rui Silva and freshman Grant Reiman also pushed their respective No. 5 and No. 6 opponents to the limit before dropping tight three-set affairs.

"I am extremely proud of this team and how hard we fought today," said Eric Stark, associate director of tennis and men's head coach. "After dropping a tough doubles point, the guys rallied hard and still found a way to almost pull out a victory.  We took huge steps forward in just one week very a BSU squad that played in the NCAA tournament last year and have a good chance to go back this year.

"I can't give Rob and Ryan enough credit today," he added.  "Rob had a fantastic day in both singles and doubles and after dropping a tough three setter last week, Ryan bounced right back and showed tremendous fight and energy in the comeback win this week.  I think Grant (Reiman) will learn tremendously from this match, as he also fought extremely hard but just couldn't get over the hump today.

"Overall, I think this team grew by leaps and bounds today, despite the tough loss, which I'm certain will pay off in many more victories down the round this season."

On the women's side, newcomer Grace Summers earned a victory over her No. 2 competition to pace all Panthers in singles action.

Both Eastern units return to the courts next Saturday (Jan. 31) as the men face Nebraska at a netural site and the women will entertain Dayton inside the Wabash Valley Tennis Center in nearby Terre Haute. 

Eastern Illinois at Ball State
Jan. 25, 2015 at Muncie, Ind.
(YMCA Tennis Center)

BSU Men 5, EIU Men 2

Singles
1. Lucas Andersen (BSU) def. Grant Thompson (EIU) - 6-0, 6-3
2. Patrick Elliott (BSU) def. Preston Touliatos (EIU) - 6-1, 7-5
3. Robert Skolik (EIU) def. Ray Leonard (BSU) - 6-4, 6-4
4. Ryan Henderson (EIU) def. Jan Jirus (BSU) - 1-6, 7-6, 6-2
5. Andrew Stutz (BSU) def. Rui Silva (EIU) - 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
6. Collin Rigney (BSU) def. Grant Reiman (EIU) - 7-6, 4-6, 7-6

Doubles
1. Skolik/Touliatos (EIU) def. Elliott/Andersen (BSU) - 6-4
2. Leonard/Stutz (BSU) def. Henderson/Silva (EIU) - 6-3
3. Rigney/Matt Helm (BSU) def. G. Reiman/Trent Reiman (EIU) - 6-2

Match Notes:
Eastern Illinois 0-2
Ball State 2-2

Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2*); Singles (1,2,3,5*,4,6)

......

Eastern Illinois at Indiana
Jan. 25, 2015 at Bloomington, Ind.
(IU Tennis Center)

IU Women 6, EIU Women 1

Singles
1. Katie Klyczek (IU) def. Kelly Iden (EIU) - 6-0, 6-1
2. Grace Summers (EIU) def. Alecia Kauss (IU) - 6-7, 1-2, ret.
3. Paula Gutierrez (IU) def. Sephora Boulbahaiem (EIU) - 6-1, 6-1
4. Sarah Baron (IU) def. Ali Foster (EIU) - 5-7, 7-5, 1-0 (10-4)
5. Kim Schmider (IU) def. Hannah Kimbrough (EIU) - 6-1, 6-2
6. Mary Beth King (IU) def. Kamile Stadalninkaite (EIU) - 6-1, 6-1

Doubles
1. Stephanie Smith/Shannon Murdy (IU) def. Summers/Boulbahaiem (EIU) - 7-5
2. Gutierrez/King (IU) def. Iden/Stadalninkaite (EIU) - 6-2
3. Baron/Klyczek (IU) def. Foster/Kimbrough (EIU) - 6-3

Match Notes:
Eastern Illinois 0-1
Indiana 3-0

Order of finish: Doubles (3,2*,1) Singles (3,6,1*,5,2,4)

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