CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Eastern Kentucky University women’s tennis team picked up a trio of three-set victories Saturday evening to help the Colonels defeat host Cincinnati, 5-2. With the win, Eastern Kentucky improves to 5-4 while the Bearcats fall to 4-9.

The top four singles matches all went to three sets with senior Meredith Giles (No. 2), junior Alexandra Sitnikova (No. 3) and freshman Anouk Faure (No. 4) all pulling out wins for the Colonels. Freshman Vera Heimeroth (No. 6) also earned a straight set triumph.

“I’m proud of the way we competed tonight,” EKU head coach Rob Oertel said. “We seemed to enjoy the pressure of the moment instead of fearing it.”

Eastern Kentucky has the next week off before traveling to Florida for three matches over spring break.

Eastern Kentucky 5, Cincinnati 2

Singles
1. Alizee Paradis (UC) d. Svetlana Pimenova (EKU) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
2. Meredith Giles (EKU) d. Jennifer Keiner (UC) 3-6, 6-2, 6-1
3. Alexandra Sitnikova (EKU) d. Elizabeth Young (UC) 6-1, 6-7, 6-1
4. Anouk Faure (EKU) d. Jennifer Rowen (UC) 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
5. Valeriya Dandik (UC) d. Myriem Mhirit (EKU) 6-1, 6-3
6. Vera Heimeroth (EKU) d. Abigail Mayo (UC) 6-1, 6-1

Doubles
1. Pimenova/Sitnikova (EKU) d. Keiner/Rowen (UC) 8-3
2. Euers/Giles (EKU) d. Dandik/Young (UC) 8-3
3. Faure/Heimeroth (EKU) d. Hale/Mayo (UC) 8-2