Despite defaulting two matches due to injury Wednesday night, the women's tennis team managed to win two singles matches. That was not enough for a team victory, however, as the Golden Eagles moved to 0-3 after a 5-2 loss to Illinois-Chicago at the Helfaer Tennis Stadium.

Just two days off of a gastro-intestinal virus, junior Francina Bonnelly shouldered the load. In fact, Tuesday was the first time she had hit a tennis ball in five days. With freshman doubles teammate Lauren Little visibly pained due to a lower back injury, Bonnelly was practically playing one-on-two.

The duo wound up losing 8-5. Ninety minutes later, Bonnelly beat Cory Steven at No. 3 singles in a thriller. Bonnelly painted the lines with an explosive forehand all night.

"Francina played tough all night," head coach Jody Bronson said. "She attacked and hit the ball real hard. To be able to do that when you're not at 100 percent physically is really amazing."

No. 2 junior Dominika Dabrowski captured Marquette's other singles win over Iris Jaklin 6-2, 6-4.

"Last year Fran played at a five or a six, and Dominika played at a four or a five," Bronson said. "Dominika really turned a corner tonight. She was down early in singles, and in the past, she has lost her edge and her confidence when she gets down. That wasn't the case tonight. She got better tonight. That's a good sign."

While two team leaders played exceptionally well last night, Marquette faces major problems heading into the weekend. With Maria Calbeto (No.1) and Erin Watkins (No. 4) already sidelined, Marquette could ill afford another injury — especially not to a promising freshman like Little.

Little was wincing in discomfort and grabbing her lower back throughout her doubles match. She finished despite the pain, and then played half of one set at singles. It was easy to tell the pain was getting progressively worse.

Finally, she was forced off the court in tears.

This leaves Bronson in a compromising position as the team hosts Northern Illinois and Wisconsin-Milwaukee Saturday. The hope is that a couple of sidelined players will get healthy real quick. The reality is that Marquette will almost certainly default one or more matches Saturday.

The Golden Eagles will try to pick up their first win at 9 a.m. Saturday at Helfaer Stadium against Northern Illinois. Then, they'll host UW-Milwaukee at 4 p.m.