EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.  -  SIUE tennis improved to 2-0 on the young 2021 season, shutting out the visiting Western Illinois Leathernecks in a 7-0 decision on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars won every set in which they played, including two sets in which the Leathernecks did not earn a single point. 

The Cougars began the match in convincing fashion, securing the doubles point in straight sets. 

"It was great to come out and get another doubles point," said Head Coach Adam Albertsen. "The team really looked focused from the start."

That focus would continue into singles play, as all six Cougar players won their singles matches. Jill Lambrechts secured the victory in the No. 1 position, winning 6-1, 6-0 over WIU's Aina Cortina-Pou. Fabiola Perez followed with a 6-2, 6-1 victory of her own in the No. 2 spot, while Melissa Vizcardo would go on to a 7-6, 6-2 decision in the No. 3 position. Following the Cougars' closest singles match of the afternoon, SIUE rattled off three victories in quick succession - Nicole Gomez won in the No. 4 spot, recording a 6-0, 6-1 victory over the Leathernecks' Lucky Kancherla, while redshirt junior Callaghan Adams and redshirt freshman Caitlyn Sporing both notched their second singles wins of the season with a pair of 6-3, 6-1 wins.

"It's an amazing feeling to come out on a match day and see that all our hard work has paid off," said redshirt freshman Jill Lambrechts after the match. "Everyone won their matches today. A big thank you to the athletics staff who keep working hard behind the scenes to get us to this win."

Coach Albertsen lauded his team's efforts, saying "Eight different [SIUE] players were able to chip in and get a win today. We really like our depth and it was great for everyone to step up against WIU."

The Cougars will have a short break before returning to the Edwardsville Y tomorrow morning to host Illinois-Springfield. First serve is set for 10 a.m. CT.