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Match Results

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois women's tennis took advantage of its home court as the Panthers played outside on the Darling Courts for the first time this season beating Belmont, 5-2, on Friday afternoon.  Due to expected inclement weather in Central Illinois on Saturday, the Panthers will move back indoors to host Tennessee State tomorrow afternoon at around 4 p.m. at the Danville Tennis Center.
 
EIU improved to 9-10 overall, 3-1 in the OVC.  Belmont fell to 5-12 overall, 1-4 in the OVC.
 
The Panthers won two of three matches in doubles to secure the first point of the day.  Stella Cliffe and Grace Summers won the first match at No. 1 doubles winning 6-4.   The Panthers then won the point at No. 3 singles with Srishti Slaria and Claire Martin holding off Sarah Brackin and Mical Johnson, 7-5.
 
EIU quickly pushed its lead in the match to 3-0 with straight set wins at No. 1 and No. 6 singles.  Cliffe beat Maria Plaksina 6-0, 6-2 at No. 1 singles while Martin beat Nikki Christiansen 6-3, 6-4 at No. 6 singles.
 
Emily Pugachevsky would give the Panthers the win with her victory at No. 4 singles as she improved to 8-1 on the season in that position in the line-up.  Pugachevsky beat Brackin 6-4, 6-4. 
 
Summers would lock up the final point for EIU at No. 2 singles as she needed three sets to beat Drew Hawkins 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.  The win was the 53rd singles win of Summers EIU career as she ranks third on the all-time wins list.