Eastern Illinois University lost to Lindenwood University 4-1 during its home opener on April 3, which also served as senior day for the Panthers. The defeat brings Eastern Illinois’ record to 2-8 overall and 1-5 in Ohio Valley Conference play, while Lindenwood improves to 14-5 overall and 5-1 in the conference.
The match was significant as it marked both the team’s first home game of the season and a celebration honoring six seniors from Eastern Illinois. Despite the loss, Ariadna Pereles and Alanys Nieves secured a victory in their match with a straight-set win. The pair have now won their individual matches in consecutive contests.
Other matches saw Lilli Amettis and Sylvia Hasz fall in two sets, while Laura Paniagua and Giorgia Cappelletti pushed their opponents to three sets but ultimately lost. Katie Kopshever and Anaya Rawlinson were defeated in straight sets, as were seniors Tori Mohesky and Emma Schroeder, who came up short despite a close contest.
The final scores for each pairing included Wilson & Beretti defeating Amettis & Hasz (2-0), Jacobs & McWhorter overcoming Paniagua & Cappelletti (2-1), Belcher & Sheppard winning against Kopshever & Rawlinson (2-0), Bockhorst & Schauffler besting Mohesky & Schroeder (2-0), while Pereles & Nieves earned Eastern Illinois’ only point by beating Hough & Putz (2-0).
Looking ahead, the Panthers will travel to Clarksville, Tennessee for the Austin Peay Tournament beginning April 10. The team is scheduled for four matches over that weekend.
