Before the tournament began, the OVC announced its 2018 awards, and sophomore Freddie O’Brien was named to Second Team All-OVC. Eastern lost to Jacksonville State in the tournament. 

He finished the year with an 11-9 record. He was 2-4 in the OVC in singles play and ended the regular season with three straight wins.

O’Brien and senior Trent Reiman clinched the No. 2 doubles spot for the Panthers. The Gamecocks won at No. 3 doubles, 6-3 and No. 1 doubles, 7-5 to claim the point.

In singles competition, Jacksonville State claimed the three necessary points to get the win over Eastern. 

At No. 1 singles, O’Brien’s match went unfinished. He was down 1-0 when the match was called.

Senior Grant Reiman did not have much luck either, falling 7-6, 6-0, 6-2 at No. 2 doubles. 

And for Grant Reiman, he is grateful for the opportunity he had to play at Eastern now that his career is over.

“Every year has been better results wise so it has been great to see that improvement every single year,” he said. “Our program is headed in a great direction and we are thankful to have had the opportunity to be a part of it.”

At No. 3 singles, freshman Logan Charbonneau came up short in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1.

“A good take away from this was seeing that we had what it took to compete with the other teams at the tournament,” Charbonneau said.

Sophomore Gage Kingsmith lost at No. 4 singles 6-1, 6-1, while Trent Reiman’s match went unfinished 7-5, 7-6.

Senior Jared Woodson’s match also went unfinished, but Woodson won the first set, and was leading 4-1 in the second set, but since Jacksonville State clinched the four points necessary to win the match his was called. 

When it all comes to end, Woodson knows he will miss a lot of moments.

“I’ll probably miss the trips and moments where we are all fighting to get the win as a team,” he said. 

Eastern finished at 6-17 this spring, but despite the loss, Eastern coach Sam Kercheval was happy overall.

“I was so pleased with the guys and how they battled,” Kercheval said. “We got a win at 2 doubles and had a shot to win the (doubles) point. And in singles, we won 3 first sets, Grant battled and got to a 3rd set as well. And this was against a team who we didn’t compete with really at all during the regular season.”

Vince Lovergine can be reached at 581-2812 or vplovergine@eiu.edu