USI splits at Lewis and Saint Joseph's

Box Score: Southern Indiana 6, Lewis 3

Box Score: Southern Indiana 5, Saint Joseph's 1

EVANSVILLE, Ind. The University of Southern Indiana women's tennis team could not extend its season-best winning streak to four straight after splitting matches with two conference opponents on the road this weekend. 

The Screaming Eagles (3-11, 3-5 GLVC) defeated Lewis University 6-3 on Friday to capture their third consecutive win and third victory of the season. 

As a team, USI won the top four singles and the number two and number three doubles matches. Junior Reilly Ackerman (Mt. Carmel, Illinois) led the way for Head Coach Keely Porter's team with a victory in straight sets over the Flyers' Erin Piechocinski at number one singles. Sophomore Katie Jo Clagg (Terre Haute, Indiana) also won in straight sets at number three singles. 

USI sophomore Gretchen Cantwell (Vincennes, Indiana) and freshman Jennie LaBonte (Indianapolis, Indiana) posted the final USI wins at number two and four singles, respectively.

On Saturday, the Screaming Eagles were unable to keep their win streak alive and grab their fourth-straight road win. USI fell to Saint Joseph's College 5-1 in Rensselaer, Indiana. 

Ackerman and Clagg combined for the Eagles' only point, an 8-6 win over the Pumas' Jessica Conlin and Jordan Orner at number one doubles. The pair has been USI's most effective doubles combination at 3-3 overall.

The Screaming Eagles continue their road trip with a match at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville on Tuesday April, 15 before wrapping up the regular season with home matches against Bellarmine University and Kentucky Wesleyan College next weekend. The Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament begins Friday, April 25, hosted by the defending champion Indianapolis Greyhounds.



Andrew Stanley, USI Sports Information Intern