INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana women's tennis team will play for a GLVC championship Saturday thanks to a 5-0 victory over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a thrilling 5-4 victory over Lewis University in the first and second rounds of the GLVC Tournament at the Indianapolis Tennis Center.

USI (10-3) will play the University of Indianapolis at 9 a.m., with the winner receiving an automatic bid into the NCAA Division II Tournament in the spring.

Against Lewis, the Screaming Eagles took a 2-1 advantage into singles competition after picking up victories at number two and three doubles. Sophomore Audra Bartelt (Jasper, Indiana) and freshman Maggie Coffman (Sellersburg, Indiana) teamed to pickup USI's 8-4 victory at number two doubles, while the sister tandem of senior Kalie Ackerman and freshman Reilly Ackerman(Allendale, Illinois) picked up an 8-5 victory at three doubles.

With the score knotted at four, the Eagles left their hopes in the hands of Coffman, who found herself in a 1-1 tie at six singles. Coffman came through for the Eagles as she picked up a 6-4 victory in the deciding third set to win her match 2-1.

Junior Ashley Rees (Vincennes, Indiana) picked up a straight-set victory at number two singles, while Bartelt breezed to a straight-set victory at number four singles.

In the first round, the Eagles blanked SIUE for the second time this season. Bartelt and Coffman won 8-1 at number two doubles, while Rees and freshman Sara Wilhoite (Connersville, Indiana) won at number one doubles, 8-4. The Ackerman duo rounded out the doubles sweep with an 8-5 victory at number three. 

USI junior Cassy Froderman (Brazil, Indiana) and Coffman completed the shutout with straight set victories at number five and six singles. Both won 6-1, 6-1.

This marks the first time since 2001 that the Eagles will play for a GLVC title. It is the third time since 2000 that the Eagles have been to the GLVC Championship.

Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information