The Skyhawk men and women’s tennis teams continued their winning ways Sunday afternoon as both teams defeated Eastern Illinois University. The women won decisively, 7-0, while the men pulled out a tough 4-3 victory.

The women got off to a quick start when they swept all three doubles matches giving them the point. They carried this momentum into singles play, sweeping all six matches. The only match that was in doubt was at No. 1 singles where Katrina Domela won in a third set super tiebreak.

A deciding factor in the women’s match was their preparation and mindset for the playing conditions.

Throughout the match the temperature was just above freezing and snow was piled up outside the courts.

“The girls practiced everyday last week outside in the cold and wind to prepare for this match,” said Dennis Taylor, the Skyhawks’ head coach.

“This preparation gave us the right mental mindset and attitude going into this match. Without this, the match could have been a lot closer.”

With the win, the women remain undefeated in the Ohio Valley Conference at 4-0. The Skyhawk women return to Tuesday, March 28 when they host Southeast Missouri State at the Skyhawk Tennis Complex.

The men did not get off to a fast start against Eastern Illinois. The Skyhawks lost the doubles point, 2-1.

However, the Skyhawks quickly evened the match at 2-2 with Andre Yesipov and Stephan Bruwer pulling out close matches at No. 2 and 3 singles, respectively.

Olti Mollaymeri then tied the match again at 3-3 with a win at No. 5. Then with the match on the line, Chris Slabbert came through at No. 6 with clutch three-set win.

Just like the girls, the men had to rely on mental toughness and a do whatever it takes attitude to win this match.

“The men did what we call in tennis winning ugly,” Taylor said. “They had the right mental attitude, in just hammering away until the momentum shifted and it finally did when Chris (Slabbert) won and gave us the victory.”

“Like the girls, the men did not complain about the conditions, they just played tennis.”

The men move to 2-2 in the conference with this win and will attempt to get above .500 in the OVC when they take on Austin Peay Sat., April 1 at the Skyhawk Tennis Complex.