The Eastern’s women’s tennis team is ready to start off its spring season, especially freshman Sephora Boulbahaeim.

Boulbahaeim, the only freshman on the team this year, comes from Zonhoven, Belgium, to join the Panther team. Boulbahaeim is the only international player on the women’s roster this season, while the men’s roster has three in seniors Jamie Firth (Australia), Matyas Hilgert (Czech Republic) and freshman David Constantinescu (Canada).

Boulbahaeim had a knee injury and did not find out until Tuesday that she would be able to compete in Friday’s match against the Western Michigan Broncos.

With that, the Panthers will have veteran leadership returning with three seniors. Shannon Brooks, Amanda Dibbs, and Annie Egan will each be returning to the Panthers for their senior season. Dibbs sported the best record of any member on the roster, finishing the season with a record of 8-7.

Other players returning to the team are sophomore Jennifer Kim, junior Kristen Laird, and junior Merritt Whitley.

“She feels pretty good about getting back to the rhythm of things and is ready to play again,” sophomore Janelle Prisner said.

Prisner also said that Boulbahaeim is adjusting to the team well.

Some of Prisner’s biggest focuses for this season are to improve and get back to the hang of things as she plays. She also wants to work on her consistency and mental toughness. She is excited for her first match against the Broncos.

“I am always excited for my first match because it gets me back into the groove of things,” Prisner said.

She said she has prepared herself for her first match by practicing, weightlifting and working out, as well as competing in tournament play with the team.

Prisner’s biggest personal goal for herself is that she wants to make it to the Ohio Valley Conference Championship and win it.

Prisner finished last season with an overall record of 5-11 and 2-6 in the OVC.

Last season, the women’s team finished with an overall record of 6-10, finishing 2-6 in the OVC. The Panthers lost seven straight matches before finally defeating Southeast Missouri by a score of 5-2 in the team’s season finale.

Head coach John Blackburn will return to coach the team in what will be his seventh season leading the Panthers.

The Panthers’ first match will be at 1 p.m. this Friday as they travel to Danville to take on Western Michigan.

Grant Truccano can be reached at 581-7942 or gatruccano@eiu.edu.