The Panthers sent two competitors to represent the women’s tennis team at the USTA/ITA Regional Championships and were ousted by their Illinois opponents this past weekend.

The duo of sophomore Sephora Boulbahaiem and senior Merritt Whitley combined to go 3-3 in singles and doubles competition at the Midwest Regional in Urbana-Champaign.


The early exit in the tournament marked the end of the fall portion of the women’s season schedule.


Both players recorded wins in the first round of the qualifying draw in singles play.


Head coach John Blackburn said they played well throughout the tournament.


“Going into these competitions you always expect great competition,” Blackburn said. “Sephora (Boulbahaiem) and Merritt (Whitley) played at a high level and had quality wins.”


Whitley, who competed in her first tournament this fall, won in straight sets, defeating Ashley Rettger from Western Illinois 6-0, 6-1.


The sophomore joined her teammate in the victory circle winning her first round match 7-5, 6,2 over DePaul opponent Zaina Sufi.


The tournament host Illinois proved to be difficult for the Eastern women to get past.

Misa Kedzierski and Audrey O’Connor of Illinois defeated Boulbahaiem and Whitley.

Kedzierski hit past the Eastern sophomore 6-3, 6-4.
Whitley battled in her match against O’Connor, but ultimately fell in a tight match 7-6(5), 6-4.


“They did a good job taking things we worked on in practice into their matches to improve we have to continue working hard,” Blackburn said.

The Panther duo also paired up and competed in the main draw of the doubles portion of the championships.


Whitley and Boulbahaiem drew Jullane Gruber and Katrina Lingl from Michigan State in the first round.


The Panthers outlasted the Spartan duo and advanced with an 8-6 victory.


The second round showed a much different story, though.


Melissa Kopinski and Rachel White from Illinois beat Whitley and Boulbahaiem 8-2.

“The Illinois team played at a high level and they were just better than us,” Blackburn said.

Kopinski and White made the home crowd happy as they captured the doubles championship defeating their Notre Dame counterparts.

The tennis team will not see action until late January, but their schedule until then will consist of a couple hours each week on the court practicing and another five hours a week working on conditioning.

The Panthers will officially begin the spring portion of the 2013 season hosting Evansville at the inside courts in Danville on Jan. 24, 2013. The time still has not been determined.

Aldo Soto can be reached at 581-2812 or asoto2@eiu.edu.