WICHITA, Kan. - The Drake women's tennis team battled down to the wire before succumbing to Southern Illinois in the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Championship on Saturday (April 27), 4-2.

The Bulldog saw the Salukis capture a 1-0 lead after victories at the Nos. 2 and 3 doubles positions.

Southern Illinois stretched its advantage to 3-0 after wins on the Nos. 2 and 3 courts in singles action.

Freshman Jordan Eggleston (LaQuinta, Calif.) cut the deficit to 3-1 for Drake after besting Jennifer Dien, 6-2, 6-2, at the No. 5 position.

The Bulldogs inched closer after freshman Mariel Ante (Riverside, Calif.) displayed a steely resolve to notch a 6-0, 0-6, 6-4 triumph past Korey Love on the No. 6 court.

The Salukis punched their ticket to the MVC title match after Ariadno Cairo posted a 7-5, 6-2 win over sophomore Nell Boyd (Arlington Heights, Ill.) at the No. 4 slot.

Freshman Maddie Johnson (Onalaska, Wis.) had nearly squared the match at three as she was leading 6-4, 5-1 and serving for match point against Anita Lee when play was suspended on the No. 3 court.

The setback for Drake proved to be the final match in the distinguished career of senior Ali Patterson (Overland Park, Kan.).

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (19-4) DEF. DRAKE (13-10), 4-2

APRIL 27, 2013 • WICHITA, KAN.

SINGLES:

No. 1 Melanie Delsart (SIU) def. Klavdija Rebol (DU), 6-1, 6-2

No. 2 Natasha Tomishima (SIU) def. Evy Van Genechten (DU), 6-0, 6-1

No. 3 Maddie Johnson (DU) leading Anita Lee (SIU), 6-4, 5-1 unfinished

No. 4 Ariadna Cairo (SIU) def. Nell Boyd (DU), 7-5, 6-2

No. 5 Jordan Eggleston (DU) def. Jennifer Dien (SIU), 6-2, 6-2

No. 6 Mariel Ante (DU) def. Korey Love (SIU), 6-0, 0-6, 6-4

Order of Finish: 1,2,5,6,4

DOUBLES:

No. 1 Delsart/Simons (SIU) leading Eggleston/Rebol (DU), 6-4 unfinished

No. 2 Dien/Tomishima (SIU) def. Boyd/Van Genechten (DU), 8-3

No. 3 Lee/Love (SIU) def. Ante/Ali Patterson (DU), 8-1

Order of Finish: 3,2