The SIUC men’s tennis team failed to meet coach Brad Iftner’s challenge Saturday but stepped up its play Sunday.

SIUC fell to defending Missouri Valley Conference champions Wichita State University 7-0 Saturday. The Salukis continued MVC play Sunday, losing to Southwest Missouri State University 5-2, in their first home match of the season. The Salukis overall record stands at 5-10 and 0-3 in MVC play.

The Salukis were without their No. 3 player Jack Oxler when they faced Wichita State Saturday. Oxler had missed the match for a dental appointment.

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Wichita State did not lose a set as they swept the Salukis in all seven singles and doubles matches.

We came out flat against Wichita, Iftner said. I was really disappointed with our intensity level.

SIUC opened its match with Southwest Missouri State University with a renewed desire and intensity level it did not have against Wichita.

SIUC began the day by winning two of the three doubles matches to enter singles play up 1-0. Freshman Kenny Hutz and senior Brian Etzkin handled SMSU’s No. 2 team 8-1 while Oxler and sophomore Mick Smyth pulled out a 9-8 victory in No. 1 doubles.

Leading 1-0, the Salukis needed to win three of the six singles matches for the victory. The Salukis could only manage one win as Kenny Hutz defeated SMSU’s player Zeljko Gakouzc 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the No. 1 match. Gakouzc was named to the MVC All-Conference team a year ago.

I am satisfied, but I am not thrilled with my 2-1 conference record, Hutz said. Today was a good win.

The women’s team traveled to Terre Haute, Ind., to face MVC opponents Illinois State University Saturday and Indiana State University Sunday.

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SIUC began the weekend by falling 6-3 to Illinois State then turned to Indiana State, winning 5-4. The Salukis have a 6-10 overall record and are 2-1 in conference play.

Seniors Sanem Berksoy and Helen Johnson were the only two Salukis to claim victories in singles matches against Illinois State. Berksoy defeated Zana Frigenovic, 7-5, 6-1, and Johnson defeated Valeria Sergeeva, 6-2, 6-4, while freshman Keri Crandall dropped her three-set match to Brigette Zarazee 6-2, 2-6, 6-2.

In doubles play, the Salukis would need to win all three matches for the victory. Only Johnson and Crandall claimed victories, winning 9-7. Seniors Molly Card and Berksoy fell 9-7 while juniors Maria Villarreal and Jennifer Robison fell 8-5.

We played well. We had some chances, women’s coach Judy Auld said. But we proved that we could play with them when the MVC Tournament begins (April 24-25).

The SIUC women’s tennis team has suffered four 5-4 losses this season and finally turned its score around on Indiana State University Sunday.

When we play 110 percent, it will turn around matches in our favor, women’s coach Judy Auld said. I’ll take the early season 5-4 losses if it makes us a stronger team as we play conference opponents.

SIUC claimed four of the six singles matches to begin doubles play at 4-2. The Salukis needed only one win in the doubles matches to claim their second conference win of the season.

The win came from Villarreal and Robison as they defeated Lynda Anderson and Tina Morales 8-6 to give SIUC the 5-4 victory.

When somebody was down, somebody else would pick up the slack, Auld said. It was a very positive weekend. Everybody played well. Being 2-1 in the conference is a plus.

The SIUC men’s tennis team takes on Illinois State University 10 a.m. Saturday, Bradley University 9 a.m. Sunday, and Indiana State University 3 p.m. Sunday at home.

The SIUC women’s tennis team travels to Springfield, Mo., to face Southwest Missouri State University Friday, then travels to Wichita, Kan., to face Wichita State University Saturday.