The Eastern women’s tennis team extended its winning streak to six, following a 7-2 win against Indianapolis Saturday at the UIndy Tennis Center in Indianapolis.

The Panthers improved to 6-0 to start the season, surpassing the program’s best start to a season since their 5-0 beginning in 2008.

The women’s win over Indianapolis came after the Intercollegiate Tennis Association ranked the Panthers for the first time since 2008, when they were No. 74 in the country.

Eastern first appeared in the rankings following its 5-0 start, standing at No.71.

The Panthers continued their consistent play in doubles competition against Indianapolis, winning two of the three matches.

The duo of senior Janelle Prisner and junior Sephora Boulbahaiem defeated senior Taylor Eckert and sophomore Allie Smith 8-5 at No. 1 doubles.

Prisner and Boulbahaiem improved their doubles record to a perfect 6-0 on the season. The duo has won each of its six doubles matches by an average of three games.

Sophomores Ali Foster and Hannah Kimbrough won extended their winning streak in doubles play to three, following their shutout 8-0 win against freshman Selenay Heper and sophomore Macey Speer.

The lone loss in doubles play for Eastern came at No. 3 doubles, where freshmen Kelly Iden and Kamile Stadalninkaite could not hit past junior Brooks Boyts and senior Kasey Land, losing 8-4.

Despite that doubles loss, Eastern improved its record in doubles play to 15-3 on the season.

In singles play, Prisner, Boulbahaiem, Iden, Foster and Kimbrough all won.

The five Panthers were all able to handle their matches in straight sets, as Prisner defeated Smith 6-2, 6-2 at No. 1 singles.

Prisner’s win was followed by a 6-1, 6-4 win by Boulbahaiem over Maria Mendes.

Iden won her match 6-1, 6-2, while Foster won 6-1. 6-0. Kimbrough finished the win for Eastern with a 6-3, 6-1 victory.

Indianapolis was able to manage one win in singles play, as Land beat Eastern freshman Maria Moshteva 6-2, 6-2 at No. 5 singles.

The Panthers will now prepare for their next opponent in Lindenwood.

Eastern has not played Lindenwood in recent years. The match is scheduled to be hosted by Eastern, starting at 1 p.m. Friday at Darling Courts.

Aldo Soto can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].