Issue date: 4/9/09 Section: Sports

Senior Vuk Milicevic runs to hit the ball during a tennis match against Indiana State on April 1 at the Darling Courts. (Karolina Strack/The Daily Eastern News)

One of the main reasons for the Eastern men's tennis team's success in doubles has been the play of Vuk Milicevic and Jordan Nestrud.

The senior duo has posted a doubles record of 14-2 this season, as well as going 5-2 in Ohio Valley Conference play for the Panthers.

Milicevic said the duo has surprised people who didn't think they would be so successful.

"First and foremost, I think we have surprised each other by the level of success we have had in doubles," Milicevic said. "I think we have a lot to be proud of, and it certainly ranks as one of the bigger highlights of our season."


Squads close to qualifying for conference tournament

The Eastern men's and women's tennis teams are close to qualifying for the OVC Tournament.

The top six teams qualify for the tourney and both teams are in sixth place.

The men's team (10-10, 3-4 OVC) beat all three teams below them in the conference, and pending Tuesday's late results, Tennessee Martin, the seventh place team, could fall to 2-5 in the conference. The Skyhwawks also play third place Jacksonville State Saturday.

The men's team holds the tiebreaker against the Skyhawks if both teams finish the regular season with identical OVC records. They defeated the Skyhawks earlier this season.

The Eastern women's team (3-4, 7-11) is also in sixth place. They have two matches left on the schedule. One is against the ninth place team, Southeast Missouri. The other is against fifth place Murray State,

Eastern head coach John Blackburn said despite the record, the women have continually competed at a high level.

"We have a young group that competes really hard," Blackburn said. "They have played a very difficult schedule, especially out of conference, but we still have an opportunity to qualify for the conference tournament. So, one of our big goals is still achievable."


Freshmen contribute on both sides

The Eastern tennis teams have contributed all season.

The seven freshmen are going to be crucial down the stretch.

Blackburn said he has been pleased by the amount of production he has seen from the freshmen of both squads.

"For both teams ,we have seen the freshmen grow and progress from last season into this season," Blackburn said.


Neil Schneider can be reached at 581-7944 or at jnschneider@eiu.edu.

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