The men’s tennis team will face the Marquette University Golden Eagles and the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay Phoenix Sunday.

“Last year we did all right against the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay, but think we can win if we keep our mind to our mental approach and game plan,” said sophomore Warren Race.

Race said Marquette is a good team as well, but still believes the Panthers can beat them.

The last time the Panthers faced the Golden Eagles they lost 1-6.

Only one person on the current roster won a match last year against Marquette. Michael Sperry lost his first set 6-7, but won his next two sets 6-3 and 10-7.

Sperry and junior Jamie Firth were the only doubles team to win a match last year against the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay.

The match against Marquette starts at 10 a.m. Sunday, while the match against the University of Wisconsin Green Bay start at 3 p.m.

The women’s tennis team is looking to rebound and win this match, after having a two-match losing streak.

The Eastern women’s tennis team will face the Illinois State University Redbirds on Saturday. The last time the Panthers took on the Redbirds, the Redbirds defeated the Panthers 0-7.

“Illinois State always has a good team. They are a very complete and solid team,” said head coach John Blackburn.

For the season, the women’s tennis team is currently 2-2 overall, while posting a 1-2 road record and 1-0 record on neutral courts. The Panther women do not have a home match until March 10 against Chicago State.

“We have been working on doubles and trying to use specific tactics and styles going against ISU,” Blackburn said. “If we play well, we could possibly beat them.”

The match starts at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Men lose at Valpo

Only one team won their doubles match Sunday against Valparaiso University: freshman Charlie Dryden and sophomore Michael Sperry. They won their match 8-4.

The men’s tennis team lost to the Valparaiso University Crusaders with a score of 5-2.

“We didn’t play our best,” said sophomore Warren Race.

Only two members of the men’s tennis team won their singles matches: sophomore Michael Sperry and junior Matyas Hilgert.

Sperry won his first set 7-6, he lost his second set 4-6, but would win his third set 7-5.

Hilgert won both of his sets 7-6, 6-1.

Grant Truccano can be reached at 581-7944 or gatruccano@eiu.edu.