RICHMOND, Ky. – The EKU women's tennis team picked up a pivotal win over visiting Eastern Illinois University on Friday at Tom Higgins Courts.
 
With the 4-3 victory over EIU, EKU (13-9, 8-1 OVC) still has a shot at clinching a first round bye in next week's OVC Tournament at Centennial Park in Nashville.
 
The Colonels close out regular season play on Saturday against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville at Tom Higgins Courts. Saturday's match is scheduled for an 11 a.m. start.
 
"Our young freshmen do not play like freshmen," Head Coach Rob Oertel said. "That's why they've had the season they've had. All of our girls are a tight-knit group of girls that really support one another."
 
EIU outlasted the Colonels in grueling, back-and-forth doubles matches. After Corentine Bodin and Marina Marti clinched EKU's first doubles win, the Panthers were able to hold off for the decisive match and take the point.

However, a determined EKU team battled back and took four singles matches and pick up their eighth conference win.
 
Sophomore Laura Argente's 6-4, 6-3 win at the No. 1 spot gave the Colonels early momentum. Freshman Margaux Lacroix added a 6-3, 6-4 win to give the Colonels a 2-1 lead.
 
EIU regained the lead at 3-2 with wins at the No. 2 and No. 3 spot. The Panther lead, however, was short lived as Marti and Raquel Montalvo's wins solidified the EKU victory.

Marti battled back after losing the first set, 3-6, to improve her singles record to 8-1 in league play. Montalvo's 6-2, 6-4 win proved to be the deciding match, breaking a 3-3 tie to give the Colonels the win.
 
Eastern Kentucky University 4, Eastern Illinois 3

Singles

1. Laura Argente (EKU) def. IDEN, Kelly (EIU) 6-4, 6-3
2. FOSTER, Ali (EIU) def. Viktorija Demcenkova (EKU) 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
3. SUMMERS, Grace (EIU) def. Corentine Bodin (EKU) 6-4, 6-4
4. Margaux Lacroix (EKU) def. SLARIA, Srishti (EIU) 6-3, 6-4
5. Marina Marti (EKU) def. KIMBROUGH, Hannah (EIU) 3-6, 6-2, 6-4
6. Raquel Montalvo (EKU) def. CARPENTER, Abby (EIU) 6-2, 4-6, 6-4

Doubles

1. KIMBROUGH, Hannah/SUMMERS, Grace (EIU) def. Laura Argente/Raquel Montalvo (EKU) 7-5
2. IDEN, Kelly/FOSTER, Ali (EIU) def. Viktorija Demcenkova/Margaux Lacroix (EKU) 6-3
3. Corentine Bodin/Marina Marti (EKU) def. SLARIA, Srishti/STADALNINKAITE, K. (EIU) 6-1
 
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,*1); Singles (1,4,3,2,5,*6)
Official: Brenda Emery
T-3:17 A-37