EVERGREEN PARK, Ill. – The UIC women's tennis team (4-3) could not fight off Kansas State (7-3) Saturday as it was swept, 7-0, for its first home loss of the season while playing for the first time at Evergreen Racquet and Fitness.
 
The Wildcats collected their first point in doubles with wins at the top two positions. Oana Manole and Miranda Rodriguez Diaz de Leon first fell at No. 2, 6-2, before Melika LeBlanc and Rachel Le Comber took their first loss as a doubles team in a 6-4 decision at No. 1. Georgie Sanders and Stefana Vasic went unfinished at No. 3.
 
Each singles match was then decided in straight sets. Le Comber came up short at No. 6 to Livia Cirnu, 6-3, 6-4, and LeBlanc was edged at No. 3 by Ines Mesquita, 6-4, 6-2. The match was then clinched when Rodriguez Diaz de Leon suffered a 6-2, 6-3 defeat at No. 5 to Maria Panaite.
 
The remaining three matches also went to Kansas State. Bianca Zuzu was taken down at No. 4 by Ana Garcia Navas, 6-2, 6-4, for her first loss at home this season. Sanders was bested at No. 2 by Millie Stretton, 6-2, 6-4, and Manole was plagued at No. 1 in her match against Carolina Costamagna, 7-5, 6-1.
 
The Flames will return to Evergreen Racquet and Fitness on Sunday to close out the weekend with a 10 a.m. CT match against Evansville.