DEKALB, Ill. – Eastern Illinois women's tennis returned to action for the first time since Feb. 14 as the Panthers were in action against Northern Illinois. After just losing the doubles point to open the match, EIU would drop all six singles contests as they lost 7-0 to the Huskies.
NIU opened by winning at No. 3 doubles by a 6-1 count. The Panthers quickly evened doubles play at 1-1 as they picked up a 6-2 win at No. 2 doubles as
Rachel Papavasilopoulos and
Lauren Ellis combined for the win. NIU would win 6-2 at No. 1 doubles to take the opening point.
In singles play
Christine Gouws and Ellis were both were able to push their matches to three sets before falling. Gouws won the opening set over Anatasia Rakita at No. 2 singles before losing in three sets, 5-7, 6-0, 6-2. Ellis picked up a win in the opening set of No. 6 singles over Paula Veyhle before losing in three sets, 4-6, 6-1, 10-1.
Papavasilopoulos, playing at No. 1 singles, lost her first match of the season as Maria Potsi won 6-2, 7-6 (7-5). The loss was the first for Papavasilopoulos since April of 2019 as she was 9-0 last spring before the season was shortened due to COVID-19.
EIU drops to 1-5 on the season and plays at Milwaukee on Saturday. NIU moved to 4-4 on the year.
