LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In Bellarmine's second conference match of the season, the Knights fell to in-state foe Eastern Kentucky by a final score of 5-2 on Thursday.

Ekaterina Tikhonko and Shu Grosso each claimed singles wins for Bellarmine.  Tikhonko topped Masha Fedenko 6-4, 6-4 at the no. 1 slot, while Grosso earned a 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 victory in the no. 6 position. 

"EKU came out ready to play from first serve," Knights Head Coach Brian Slack said.  "The energy was extremely high and we didn't respond well.  We put ourselves in a hole in doubles and began to turn it around in singles.  We just didn't have enough to get over the top today.  Another day of learning on what we can do as a group to get better."

EKU pushed ahead early with wins at no. 1 and 2 doubles to secure the doubles point.  The Colonels also picked up victories at no. 2, no. 3, no. 4, and no. 5 singles to lock up the win.

Vendula Kryslova fought valiantly at no. 3 singles for Bellarmine, winning the first set 7-5 but losing sets two and three to Elaina Tairian.  Hanley Riner also won her first set at no. 5, but Daniela Hernandez rallied for a three-set win.

Bellarmine is back in action tomorrow at Butler with first-serve scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in Indianapolis.

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