The Panther tennis teams are looking to rebound from last weekend’s loss with a win Thursday over Tennessee State University.

Eastern lost for the first time in conference play against Murray State Saturday.

“That was somewhat disappointing but also motivational,” said No. 1 singles player C.J. Weber.

Weber lost a close match against Murray State’s Thiago Gondim in three sets, which could have been the deciding factor in a 4-3 Eastern loss.

With the loss to Murray State, Eastern (6-6, 2-1) dropped from first to fourth in conference standings.

Eastern coach Brian Holzegrafe said the loss has motivated the team to do well.

“There’s really quite a redemption to be built,” he said. “We’ve got the motivation to see it through.”

Weber said the team is using the next few matches to prepare for the Ohio Valley Conference tournament April 26-27.

“Morehead State is a really big match for us,” he said, as well as Eastern Kentucky.

The match against Tennessee State will be preparation for the tougher games coming up.

Tennessee State’s men’s team comes to Eastern struggling with a 0-9 record and a young team with only two juniors and one senior. Holzegrafe expects little challenge from the inexperienced Tigers.

“They’re not going to be competitive,” Holzegrafe said. “It’s a match we are going to win.”

The situation is similar with the Tennessee State women’s team, which currently is 0-7. It also has a young group with five freshmen, one junior and one senior.

Eastern’s women’s team (8-4, 2-1) also dropped from first to fourth place in OVC standings.

Thursday’s matches will kick off a home series with three matches for the men and four matches for the women.

Following Thursday’s match against Tennessee State, both teams will play Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne Friday and Morehead State Saturday. The women will play Southeast Missouri State Sunday.

No. 4 singles player Amber Lenfert said her team is pretty confident for this weekend.

“We’re looking at going 4-0 this weekend,” she said.

She also said the team is concentrating on winning the OVC.

“It’s just a matter of putting things together and acting on it and doing it,” Lenfert said.

Holzegrafe said he and the team are looking forward to playing some matches at home after spending a lot of time on the road.

“It’s something the kids love,” Holzegrafe said. “Their families come out and support them.”

Weber said it is a relief to be home for a while since road trips get long and drag out.

“You always like to play on your home courts,” he said. “It’s less time consuming and you’re more comfortable.”

Both schools’ teams are at a disadvantage because of the cold weather this week.

“Nobody ever plays their best game when its cold and windy out,” Weber said.

The ball will be slower and the muscles tighter, making it hard to loosen up, he said.

Last weekend’s match against Murray State was played in similar weather, Holzegrafe said.

“(The weather) really evens the keel,” Holzegrafe said. “The tennis is different. It really comes down to a fight of the will.”

Practices have been held inside the last few days, Weber said.

“I think that has a lot to do with health,” he said.

Members of both teams have been battling illness and injury.

However, Weber thinks the weather may be an advantage since Tennessee State may not be used to cold weather, although that does not guarantee a win.

“I don’t think it’s so significant that we can go into the matches assuming victory simply because it’s cold outside,” Weber said.