RICHMOND, Ky. -Austin Peay State University women's tennis team fell 4-3 at Eastern Kentucky, Friday, in the first match of their Kentucky road swing.

The Lady Govs fall to 5-7 overall with a 2-1 OVC record, while Eastern Kentucky improved to 8-7 overall and 1-0 in OVC play. It was a rematch of the 2010 OVC Tournament championship game, however, in that matchup, the Lady Govs edged out the Colonels.

Injuries hampered the Lady Govs once again, as they were forced to field only five players in the match. That meant forfeiting the No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles, which effectively cost the Lady Govs the match. It was their first OVC loss since falling to Jacksonville State to open the 2010 season.

Sophomore Carolin Weikard and freshman Andra Cornea won the Lady Govs only doubles match, 8-7, at No. 2. At the top doubles spot, junior Vanja Tomic and freshman Kimberly Loo fell 8-5.

"Carolin having a hard time bringing over to the matches what she does in practice," Tabet said. "She'll come along. She's the type of player that needs to play a lot of matches and once she gets more in, she'll be okay."

After winning the doubles point, Eastern Kentucky held a two-point advantage heading into singles play. Tomic won in straight sets at No. 1, while freshman Rachel Margolies and Cornea each needed three sets to win at Nos. 3 and 4 respectively. However, Weikard lost her third-straight match at No. 2 and Loo dropped her second-straight match at No. 5.

"I'm very happy with the way Rachel is playing," Tabet said. "She's moving up the ladder by playing smart tennis. She's got some good weapons, especially with the forehand and she's smart about using them."

The Lady Govs will have another chance to get back on the winning track with a 10 a.m., Saturday, OVC match at Morehead State.

-AP-