The University of Southern Indiana women's tennis team won its second and third straight home games with a 5-4 victory over Northern Kentucky University and an 8-1 win over Bellarmine University Saturday. 

The Eagles opened up the morning by winning two out of three doubles matches. Freshman Sara Wilhoite (Connersville, Indiana) and junior Ashley Rees (Vincennes, Indiana) defeated NKU's Laura Leutzinger and Lindsey England 8-4 at number one doubles and sophomores Audra Bartelt(Jasper, Indiana) and Casey Clausman (Vincennes, Indiana) won 8-2 at number three doubles over NKU's Clara Dorado and Courtney Meyers.

In singles competition, Wilhoite, Rees, and freshman Maggie Coffman (Sellersburg, Indiana) all won in straight sets. Wilhoite posted a 6-0, 6-1 victory at number one while, Rees scored a 6-1, 6-2 victory at number two, and Coffman blanked Northern's Courtney Meyers 6-0, 6-0 at number six.

In the second match of the day the Eagles breezed past Bellarmine 8-1. The one loss came when Wilhoite defaulted at number one singles. Sophomore Audra Bartelt (Jasper, Indiana) blanked her opponent Jenna Hurt 6-0, 6-0, at number four singles, while Coffman shutout her second straight opponent at number six singles. 

The wins improve USI to 4-1 both in the GLVC and overall. Next for the Eagles is the ITA Regional on September 17-19 in Indianapolis, Indiana

Tony Black, USI Sports Information Assistant