CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois women's tennis hit past visiting Ohio Valley Conference rival UT Martin, 7-0, on Tuesday (April 9) afternoon as the Panthers improved to 11-4 overall and 6-2 in league action.

The EIU women not only dominated the Skyhawks (5-12/4-3) in early-match doubles play, but also earning consecutive straight set wins in all six single matchups.

"I was very proud of the team's approach to the match today," said EIU head coach John Blackburn.  "We did an excellent job coming out with the right attitude and the right game plan. We look to continue this level of tennis this weekend and hopefully even improve on it."

Senior Merritt Whitley upped her season-high winning streak to six straight in singles action, as she downed her UTM opponent, 6-3 and 6-2.  She know owns 11-3 overall and 7-1 league marks, which includes a 4-1 tally at the No. 2 spot.

Sophomore Sophora Boulbahaiem also continued her winning ways, as she downed her respective No. 3 singles opponent by scores of 6-2 and 6-4, which marks her fifth consecutive singles victory.

In doubles, the duo of freshman Ali Foster and senior Kristen Laird have now won seven consecutive doubles bouts and sit at 9-1 on the year and a perfect 4-0 at the No. 3 spot in the Panther lineup.

The Panther women will now rejoin the EIU men's squad for a pair of regular-season home finales versus Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State this coming Saturday and Sunday, respectively.   First serves are scheduled for 10 a.m. for the women and 2 p.m. for the guys each day, with action to take place at the nearby Charleston High School courts.

EIU Women 7, UTM Women 0
April 9, 2013 in Charleston, Ill.
Charleston High School Courts

Singles
1. Janelle Prisner (EIU) def. Ivon Simic (UTM) - 6-2, 7-5
2. Merritt Whitley (EIU) def. Anna Marie Herbold (UTM ) - 6-3, 6-2
3. Sephora Boulbahaiem (EIU) def. Johanie Van Zyl (UTM) - 6-2, 6-4
4. Jennifer Kim (EIU) def. Jessica Silva (UTM) - 6-4, 7-5
5. Ali Foster (EIU) def. Katie McCall (UTM) - 6-3, 6-1
6. Kristen Laird (EIU) def. Florence Nicole (UTM) - 6-2, 6-0

Doubles
1. Prisner/Whitley (EIU) def. Simic/Herbold (UTM) - 8-4
2. Boulbahaiem/Hannah Kimbrough (EIU) def. Van Zyl/McCall (UTM) - 8-7
3. Ali Foster/Laird (EIU) def. Silva/Anna Winkelmann (UTM) - 8-4

Match Notes:
Eastern Illinois ... 11-4 (6-2 OVC)
UT Martin ... 5-12 (4-3 OVC)
... Ohio Valley Conference contest

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