West Central Reporter

The Western Illinois University (WIU) tennis team faced a challenging match against Southeast Missouri (SEMO) in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The Leathernecks narrowly missed victory in the conference matchup.

In doubles competition, WIU managed one win out of three matches. Nour Gueblaoui and Richardlyne Francois competed at No. 1 but were defeated with a close score of 5-7. At No. 2, Chloé Routier and Mana Fawcett secured a victory with a 6-3 scoreline. Lara Souza, returning from injury, paired with Paige Grice at No. 3 but they lost 2-6, allowing SEMO to claim the opening point.

Singles play saw mixed results for WIU. Chloé Routier played at No. 1 but was defeated with scores of 1-6, 0-6. Anna Trush stepped in for Souza at No. 6 but also fell short with scores of 1-6 and 2-6. Gueblaoui played at No. 5 but lost her match with scores of 3-6, 4-6.

Paige Grice earned the first singles win for WIU after a tough three-set match at No. 3, losing the first set 4-6 before winning the next two sets with scores of 7-5 and 10-6. Richardlyne Francois demonstrated her skills at No. 2 by winning her match; she took the first set 6-2, dropped the second set 4-6, then won the third set with a score of 10-5.

Mana Fawcett's match at No. 4 went to three sets as well; she lost the first set 2-6, won the second set convincingly with a score of 6-1, but ultimately lost the final set narrowly at 5-7. The overall match concluded with SEMO leading WIU by a score of 5-2.

WIU Tennis is scheduled to return home for upcoming matches against Kansas City on March 28 and SIUE on March 29.

For updates on Leatherneck Women's Tennis, visit GoLeathernecks.com or follow them on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.