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EIU vs. Alcorn State  |  EIU vs LSU Alexandria  |  EIU vs Jackson State  |

Eastern Illinois women's tennis opened the 2020 season with an action packed Friday as the Panthers played three matches on the opening day of the season due to projected bad weather in Mississippi.

EIU emerged from the day with a 2-1 record to open the year following a 4-0 win over Alcorn State and 4-2 win over LSU Alexandria.  EIU dropped the final match of the night to Jackson State losing 4-1.

In the opening match of the day EIU quickly won the doubles point to jump out to a 1-0 lead.  The Panthers would capture the match played to clinch point scoring at No. 3, No. 4 and No. 6 singles.  Esa Kavtaradez won in straight sets at No. 3 singles winning 6-1, 6-2.  Lauren Ellis picked up a point at No. 4 singles winning 6-0, 6-0.  Shelby Anderson won the last point at No. 6 by default.

In the second match of the day EIU won 4-2 over LSU Alexandria by again starting quick with the doubles point.  EIU added points at No. 1, 2 and 3 singles to start the season at 2-0.  Rachel Papavasilopoulos won 6-1, 6-1 at No. 1 singles.  Elizaveta Bukraba-Ulanova won at No. 2 singles 6-4, 6-1.  Brittany Steven captured the final point with a three-set win at No. 3 singles.  Steven won 6-1, 2-6, 6-4.

In the final match of the night Jackson State beat the Panthers 4-1. Papavasilopoulos scored the lone point for EIU winning at No. 1 singles by a 6-1, 6-0 count.
EIU will return to action on Sunday with two scheduled matches against Mississippi Valley State and Grambling State.