The Panthers are coming off a weekend during which they were beaten by Jacksonville State 5-2 and shut out by both Murray State and Samford.

They try to get over it today in a non-conference match against Chicago State and finish the season strong at Darling Courts.

“We’re hoping to end this week and the rest of the season on a high note,” said head coach John Blackburn.

With the losses last weekend, the Panthers were officially eliminated from postseason play.

With only two matches remaining for the Panthers, they are three games out of the final playoff spot. The top six teams make the Ohio Valley Conference tournament.

The team, however, is still optimistic on winning the rest of their matches.

“We’re gonna give our best, and go after every match,” Sandra Sasidharan said about the importance of the final three matches of the season.

Sasidharan owns the team’s best overall singles record at 13-5.

Last weekend, she pulled out a fairly easy win against Michelle Dushner of Jackonsonville State at No. 1 singles, 6-3, 6-4.

The poor outing has not lowered the team’s spirit.

Madina Mambetova said she had a fun weekend and the team competed well during last weekend’s disappointing showing.

“We played really tough, even though the scores didn’t show it,” said Mambetova.

Mambetova says that her success comes from a competitive drive and a confident attitude.

She is second to Sasidharan with an overall singles record of 10-8.

No matter what the deficit, Mambetova believes one of her strengths is that she can always come back and win.

“My only weakness is I get down on myself,” she said.

Eastern is hoping that the midweek match gives them a lift heading into the final conference weekend.

Chicago State is winless in its 14 matches this season.

The Panthers will then travel to Southeast Missouri Friday before ending their season at Darling Courts against Tennessee State.