The University of Southern Indiana women's tennis team dropped its season opener, 5-4, to Lewis University Friday afternoon in Romeoville, Illinois. The loss drops USI to 0-1 overall and in the GLVC.

The Screaming Eagles were down 2-1 after the doubles matches. Sophomore Audra Bartelt(Jasper, Indiana) and freshman Reilly Ackerman (Allendale, Illinois) picked up USI's first victory of the year with a win in number two doubles. The USI duo defeated Katie Popp and Erin Piechociski of Lewis, 8-1.

A split in the six singles matches spelled a loss for USI. Sophomore Ashley Rees (Vincennes, Indiana) won in three sets at number two, while Ackerman and freshman Maggie Coffman(Sellersburg, Indiana) won in straight sets at number three and six, repectively.

USI concludes its season opening road trip in Rensselaer, Indiana, to play Saint Joseph's College at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Ray Simmons, USI Sports Information
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