Only two women’s tennis players went into the tiebreaker, sophomore Merritt Whitley and junior Shannon Brooks. Ultimately both of those two lost their match.

Whitley lost her first set 4-6, won her second set 6-0, and lost her third set 10-5.

“I wasn’t executing my game plan well for my match against Illinois State University,” said Whitley.

Brooks won her first set 7-5, lost her second set 3-6, and lost her third set 10-7.

The Eastern Illinois Panthers lost to the Illinois State Redbirds 7-0.

“It’s never fun to lose 6-0,” said Whitley. “They have some really talented players.”

Freshman Janelle Prisner lost her sets 6-4, 6-2. Freshman Jennifer Kim lost her sets 6-0, 7-5. Junior Annie Egan lost her sets 6-0, 6-2. Sophomore Kristen Laird 6-2, 6-0.

The team of senior Cara Huck and Whitley, they lost their match 8-2.

Junior Amanda Dibbs and Prisner lost their match 8-3.

Brooks and Laird lost their match 8-6.

“I think we could have done better but the match just didn’t come our way,” said Whitley.

The Panthers now have lost three straight matches this season.

“We are always looking forward to be doing better throughout the season,” said Whitley. “Illinois State University has some really talented players.”

Currently, in the season the Panthers are now 2-3 overall, 1-3 away, and 1-0 on neutral courts.

The only two wins came from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and Northern Illinois University.

“I think we will do more match play to feel confident to play our game and play doubles to come up with another game plan,” said Whitley.

Last time the Panthers faced the Redbirds, the Redbirds beat the Panthers 0-7.

“It is important to us to keep focusing on winning,” said Whitley.

Grant Truccano can be reached at 581-7942 or [email protected].