Spring Break
Tennis: Panthers host rivals from Western
Wally Swenson / Staff Reporter
Issue date: 3/13/09 Section: Sports
The Eastern men's and women's tennis teams take on arch-rival Western Illinois at noon today as the teams host their first home matches of the season at Darling Courts.
The Eastern men's team (6-5) might play in Lantz Fieldhouse depending on weather conditions. The Western men's tennis team (1-8) has been off since a 5-2 loss to Illinois State on Feb. 22. The last time Western met up with the Panthers in a spring match was March 28, 2006, with the Leathernecks losing 4-3 in Macomb.
The Eastern women's team (3-7) team defeated the Western women's tennis team (2-5) last season in Galesburg with the Panthers coming away with a 7-0 win.
In order for Western Illinois to take possession of the Mayor's Cup, both the men's and women's squads needed to down both Panther contingents. Last fall, the Eastern men's tennis team lost 9-8, and the Eastern women's tennis team won 10-6.
"We would love to hold onto the Mayor Cup with big victories against Western," said freshman Drew Grimaldi. "We need to come to play (today)."
Eastern has maintained possession with consecutive wins as the Leathernecks and Westerwinds haven't swept the Panthers to earn the cup back.
Eastern senior Vuk Milicevic was been named the Ohio Valley Conference Male Athlete of the Week for his first honor of the season.
After Western Illinois, the Panthers will open up OVC play against Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State. The Eastern men's tennis team plays EKU at 11 a.m. on March 21 in Richmond, Ky., and they play Morehead State at 11 a.m. on March 22 in Morehead, Ky. The Eastern women's tennis team plays EKU at 2 p.m. on March 21 in Richmond, Ky., and they play Morehead State at 11 a.m. on March 22 in Morehead, Ky.
Wally Swenson can be reached at 581-7944 or at wfswenson@eiu.edu.
The Eastern men's team (6-5) might play in Lantz Fieldhouse depending on weather conditions. The Western men's tennis team (1-8) has been off since a 5-2 loss to Illinois State on Feb. 22. The last time Western met up with the Panthers in a spring match was March 28, 2006, with the Leathernecks losing 4-3 in Macomb.
The Eastern women's team (3-7) team defeated the Western women's tennis team (2-5) last season in Galesburg with the Panthers coming away with a 7-0 win.
In order for Western Illinois to take possession of the Mayor's Cup, both the men's and women's squads needed to down both Panther contingents. Last fall, the Eastern men's tennis team lost 9-8, and the Eastern women's tennis team won 10-6.
"We would love to hold onto the Mayor Cup with big victories against Western," said freshman Drew Grimaldi. "We need to come to play (today)."
Eastern has maintained possession with consecutive wins as the Leathernecks and Westerwinds haven't swept the Panthers to earn the cup back.
Eastern senior Vuk Milicevic was been named the Ohio Valley Conference Male Athlete of the Week for his first honor of the season.
After Western Illinois, the Panthers will open up OVC play against Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State. The Eastern men's tennis team plays EKU at 11 a.m. on March 21 in Richmond, Ky., and they play Morehead State at 11 a.m. on March 22 in Morehead, Ky. The Eastern women's tennis team plays EKU at 2 p.m. on March 21 in Richmond, Ky., and they play Morehead State at 11 a.m. on March 22 in Morehead, Ky.
Wally Swenson can be reached at 581-7944 or at wfswenson@eiu.edu.
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