Eastern had a turbulent weekend against Conference USA opponents Saint Louis University and Southern Mississippi this weekend.

In the Panther women’s tennis team’s (6-2) match against the Billikens, they were defeated 6-1.

“We got caught in a couple of injuries and illnesses and that diluted our team effort,” Eastern head coach Brian Holzgrafe said. “We lost to a team we probably should have dominated and that was probably the worst match of the season.”

After the match, Holzgrafe had a meeting with his team about its performance.

“(During the meeting) we talked about it and came out of it and responded better in the next game,” Holzgrafe said.

The Panthers’ match against Southern Mississippi (4-1) went more according to Holzgrafe’s plans. Eastern made a clean sweep in it’s singles matches. Senior Jana Matouskova won the first match 6-0, 6-4. Junior Becky Bruner won the second 6-3, 6-4, and sophomore Sarah Freeman won the third match 6-2, 6-1.

“I felt like the girls responded and played well (in the second match),”Holzgrafe said.

“It is difficult to go from an indoor surface to an outdoor surface. That is definitely something that is commendable on their behalf.”

Bruner and Freeman teamed up to win a doubles match as well.

“The second match was a step in the right direction,” Holzgrafe said.

“It was one thing to go out there when things aren’t going well and you have to overcome. I keep seeing the characteristics (I am looking for) and this team has such an ability to bounce back and we will need that.”

The Panthers next match will be against Samford and Birmingham March 13 at 2 p.m.