PADUCAH, Ky. - Caitlyn Sporing's three-set thriller was the clinching point as SIUE advanced to the Ohio Valley Conference Championship match with a 4-2 semifinals victory over Eastern Illinois at the Larry J. Heflin Tennis Center Saturday.

The Cougars will play defending champion Southeast Missouri in a noon match Sunday. Southeast Missouri topped Tennessee State 4-0 to gain its place in the finals. It will be SIUE's first appearance in the OVC Championships finals since the 2016-17 season when the Cougars won the title.

"We're excited to go on to the championship tomorrow," said SIUE Head Coach Adam Albertsen. "We know we'll have a great crowd, and we're so excited for the opportunity again."

SIUE, which collected its 17th win of the season and now has increased its win total in each season under Albertsen, dropped the doubles point early against Eastern Illinois but regained its footing in the singles matches.

"What an amazing win today after dropping the doubles point and some of the first sets early at one and two singles," said Albertsen, the OVC Coach of the Year. "Our team did what they've done all year. They continue to fight together, fight for each other, and just kept on battling."

SIUE's Jordan Schifano collected a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Jemma Booth at No. 3 singles. Amelia Gorman bested Addison Brown 6-3, 6-1 at No. 4 singles. Fabiola Perez defeated Madeline Monroy 6-2, 6-1 at No. 5 singles.

"I am so proud of his team and the way they left it all on the court today to get this win over Eastern Illinois, who just threw everything at us."

Eastern Illinois, 13-11, mounted a comeback with a 6-3, 6-3 victory by Elizaveta Bukraba-Ulanova at No. 2 singles over Margaux Guibal Britt.

That left Sporing at No. 6 and Jill Lambrechts at No. 1. Both players split the first two sets. Down the stretch, Sporing would defeat Lauren Ellis 6-0, 1-6, 6-3.

"We can't thank Cougar Nation and all the fans that came enough for this win, helping us get this win, and let's do it again tomorrow."