The Eastern Washington University women's tennis team welcomed North Dakota today (March 18) and dropped a close match, 4-3, inside the Jim Thorpe Fieldhouse. With the loss, the Eagles move to 2-8 overall with a chance at redemption as they resume Big Sky Conference competition tomorrow at home.

"Today was a tough loss. North Dakota competed well and they showed really good fight to come out on top. I'm very happy with the good singles performances of Scout Mathews, Jennifer Kida, and Leandra Nizetic," said head coach Dustin Hinson. "Those were good quality wins and we showed really good belief and confidence in those matches. There are a lot of areas I feel like we could have been better in. We just have to dig in and find ways to improve in those areas. We are fortunate that we get another opportunity to compete tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing what we bring to the court."

The Eagles began the match giving away the doubles point to the Fighting Hawks, but bounced back in the first singles match when Scout Mathews defeated Nyah Kauders at the No. 1 spot after two sets, 6-2, 6-2. Eastern rallied with a second singles win at No. 4 coming from Leandra Nizetic over Nora Heinitz (6-1, 6-3), which set the Eagles ahead 2-1. Soon after, EWU gave up its first singles point to North Dakota at No. 2 which tied the match.

Jennifer Kida brought the Eagles back on top, going ahead 3-2 after taking down Andrea Jansson (6-1, 1-6, 6-0) at No. 3 singles. The final decision came down to the last two matches of the afternoon, which saw EWU fall after two sets at No. 5 and No. 6 singles.

Singles Results
Scout Mathews def. Nyah Kauders (6-2, 6-2)
Sapir Sela def. Renata Gabuzyan (6-3, 6-4)
Jennifer Kida def. Andrea Jansson (6-1, 1-6, 6-0)
Leandra Nizetic def. Nore Heinitz (6-1, 6-3)
Jule Schulte def. Isabella Foshee (6-3, 6-3)                             
Angela Georgieva def. Kenzington Mann (6-3, 6-2)

Doubles Results
Sapir Sela/Andrea Jansson def. Scout Mathews/Leandra Nizetic (6-3)
Jennifer Kida/Isabella Foshee vs. Nyah Kauders/Nore Heinitz (unfinished)
Angela Georgieva/Jule Schulte def. Renata Gabuzyan/Kenzington Mann (6-1)

Up Next
The Eagles host Idaho State tomorrow, March 19 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time in the Jim Thorpe Fieldhouse.