NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After having to forfeit a doubles match and a singles match due to an injury, the EKU women's tennis team fell, 4-0, to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Saturday's semifinal match at the Centennial Sportsplex.
 
The loss ended the 2016 campaign for the Colonels.
 
"Seasons like this are why you coach," Head Coach Rob Oertel said. "They all maxed out their abilities this year and we're still young. They laid a good foundation to go after the title next year."
 
After SIUE's win at No. 2 doubles, the Colonels trailed 2-0 early but that didn't discourage EKU.
 
Sophomore Laura Argente battled at the No. 1 spot taking the first set, 6-3, over Lexi Aranda. Argente trailed 4-3 in the second set and had the momentum when the Cougars clinched the match-point.

Junior Marina Marti lost the first set at No. 5 singles but stormed back to take a 6-5 lead in the second when the winning point was claimed.
 
"They have nothing to be ashamed of," Oertel said. "It was an amazing year."
 
The Colonels (14-11) entered the OVC Tournament as the No. 3 seed after an 8-2 mark in conference play. EKU defeated Murray State, 4-1, in Saturday's first round match to advance to the semifinals.
 
SIUE 4, Eastern Kentucky University 0

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

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