MURRAY, Ky. -- The Eastern Illinois men's and women's tennis squads dropped their respective Ohio Valley Conference matches at Murray State on Saturday, with the Panther men losing a tough 4-3 game, while the Eastern women lost, 7-0.

Doubles play ultimately determined the men's result as the Racers took the all-important point off three consecutive duo matchups. In singles, both squads picked up three wins apiece.

Senior Jeff Rutherford, who will play in his final home match tomorrow versus Austin Peay, battled back after losing the opening set at the top of the lineup.

Justin Haag and Michael Sperry won in straight sets at the No. 5 and No. 6 spots, respectively. Warren Race, meanwhile dropped a very close three-set affair at No. 3.

For the women, the Racers won each of the singles matchups in consecutive sets, and won the doubles point after taking two of the three duos. The Panther team of Cara Huck and Annie Egan won at No. 2 doubles.

Both Panther squads will play their regular-season home finale on Sunday, hosting league foe Austin Peay at EIU's Rex Darling Court.  First serve in doubles play is scheduled for noon.

MSU Men 4, EIU Men 3
Apr 10, 2010 at Bennie Purcell Tennis Courts

Singles
1. RUTHERFORD, Jeff (EIU) def. CLOS, Ben (MUR) - 4-6, 7-5, 6-2
2. CAETANO, Jorge (MUR) def. FIRTH, Jamie (EIU) - 6-1, 6-2
3. MILICEVIC, Luka (MUR) def. RACE, Warren (EIU) - 6-3, 6-7, 6-3
4. DOMONEY, Renaldo (MUR) def. HILGERT, Matyas (EIU) - 6-1, 6-2
5. HAAG, Justin (EIU) def. BERARDO, Jose (MUR) - 6-4, 6-4
6. SPERRY, Michael (EIU) def. JOHNSON, Mason (MUR) - 6-2, 7-5

Doubles
1. CLOS/CAETANO (MUR) def. HAAG/RUTHERFORD (EIU) - 8-3
2. MILICEVIC/DOMONEY (MUR) def. HILGERT/SPERRY (EIU) - 8-4
3. JOHNSON/BERARDO (MUR) def. FIRTH/RACE (EIU) - 8-7

…………..

MSU Women 7, EIU Women 0
Apr 10, 2010 at Bennie Purcell Tennis Courts

Singles
1. MCGAHEE, Angela (MUR) def. DIBBS, Amanda (EIU) - 6-0, 6-0
2. CANTY, Ashley (MUR) def. HUCK, Cara (EIU) - 6-3, 6-0
3. WEBB, Alexis (MUR) def. BROOKS, Shannon (EIU) - 6-2, 6-1
4. WISEMAN, Lindsey (MUR) def. FREY, Juliana (EIU) - 4-0, retired
5. CUNITZ, Cassidy (MUR) def. WHITLEY, Merritt (EIU) - 6-2, 6-1
6. OTTOSEN, Lyndsay (MUR) def. EGAN, Annie (EIU) - 6-1, 6-0

Doubles
1. MCGAHEE/CANTY (MUR) def. DIBBS/WHITLEY (EIU) - 8-5
2. HUCK/EGAN (EIU) def. OTTOSEN/CUNITZ (MUR) - 8-6
3. WEBB/WISEMAN (MUR) def. FREY/BROOKS (EIU) - 8-4 

... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID