RICHMOND, Ky. – The EKU women's tennis team fell to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 6-1, in Saturday's Ohio Valley Conference dual match at Tom Higgins Courts.
 
Despite the loss, EKU (13-10, 8-2 OVC) clinched the No. 3 seed in next week's Ohio Valley Conference Tournament at Nashville's Centennial Park.
 
The Colonels opened league play on a tear, winning seven straight to help secure their spot in this year's OVC Tournament.  
 
In Saturday's match, freshman Viktorija Demcenkova upended SIUE's Mia Frogner for the Colonels' lone point of the match.
 
The Cougars locked up the doubles point and won the first three singles points to clinch the match.
 
"We were emotionally exhausted from yesterday's win," Head Coach Rob Oertel said. "With that said SIUE is probably the most talented team in the conference, but I believe we could beat them in the tournament if we see them which I expect we will."
 
EKU has won five OVC regular season championships and three OVC Tournament crowns. The Colonels won the 2015 regular season before falling to Murray State in the tournament.
 
SIUE 6, EKU 1

Singles

1. Lexi Aranda (SIUE) def. Laura Argente (EKU) 6-3, 6-2
2. Viktorija Demcenkova (EKU) def. Mia Frogner (SIUE) 7-5, 4-6, 1-0 (10-5)
3. Madeline Hill (SIUE) def. Corentine Bodin (EKU) 5-7, 6-4, 1-0 (10-8)
4. Monique Krutak (SIUE) def. Margaux Lacroix (EKU) 6-4, 6-1
5. Morgan Steffes (SIUE) def. Marina Marti (EKU) 6-1, 6-1
6. McKenzie Thomas (SIUE) def. Raquel Montalvo (EKU) 6-3, 6-3

Doubles

1. Laura Argente/Raquel Montalvo (EKU) vs. Mia Frogner/Madeline Hill (SIUE) 4-5, unfinished
2. Monique Krutak/Sierra Halverson (SIUE) def. Margaux Lacroix/Viktorija Demcenkova (EKU) 6-3
3. Lexi Aranda/Morgan Steffes (SIUE) def. Corentine Bodin/Marina Marti (EKU) 6-0

Match Notes:
Eastern Kentucky University 13-10?Order of finish: Doubles (3,*2); Singles (5,6,*4,1,2,3)
Official: Brenda Emery T-3:08 A-27