EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Elena Palioura went three sets before falling in the championship match of the A Flight at the Ohio Valley Conference Fall Invitational at Wesselman Tennis Center.
Palioura advanced to the title match for the second straight season. She dropped the final to Bryant's Yahli Noy 6-7 (4-7), 6-1, 10-6.
"Elena making the OVC championship singles Flight A for the second year in a row was a big step for her," said SIUE Head Coach Adam Albertsen. "She battled the Bryant player to the end and really stepped up her game."
Albertsen had plenty of positives as the Cougars competed in a bracket competition against Bryant, Western Illinois, Southeast Missouri, Lindenwood and host Southern Indiana.
"I like how this team stepped up and took another step forward this fall," he said. "I saw a ton of bright spots throughout the week. Our doubles went 7-3 and continue to improve."
Palioura and Jessica Li advanced to the A flight semifinals in doubles. Aliya Rector and Emerson Metzger won the OVC B flight in doubles.
Valeriia Oleksyn finished 2-1 for the week. Mya Bowe advanced to the quarterfinals of the B flight in singles.
"We look forward to building off this and taking this momentum into our next event," added Albertsen.
