Every title match of the 2000 Missouri Valley Conference Womens Tennis Individual Championships will involve an Illinois State Redbird.
Representing ISU at No. 1 will be freshman Liina Suurvarik who needed three sets to win her match over Southwest Missouris Ia Zozrashvilli (6-3, 2-6, 6-4). With the win, Suurvarik advances to the championship match against Drakes Rajasree Kuruvilla.
Alesia Mikalayeva, playing No. 2, advances to her title match after handing Northern Iowas Amie Crowley a 6-2, 6-1 loss. Zana Friganovic battled Wichita States Amanda Cervantes and came out on top (7-6, 6-4) at the No. 3 spot for the Birds.
Freshman Elizabeth Bingier catapulted into the No. 4 championship with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Indiana State freshman Lisa Herndon. Senior Brigette Zarazee increased her winning streak to nine matches after her victory over Indiana States Lori Wilson at No. 5 (7-5, 6-4). Shelby Lipson, the No. 6 for ISU, upended Keri Crandall of Southern Illinois (6-2, 6-1) while Alana Hoffman cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Logan Becker from Indiana State.
The Redbird doubles teams continued their strong play and all advanced to the titles matches, as well, after defeating all three teams from Evansville. The No. 1 duo of Suurvarik/Mikalayeva ousted Fox/Hoener (8-4) while Friganovic/Hoffman used the same score to defeat McCann/R. Tessier, at No. 2. At No. 3, the pair of Zarazee/Lipson extended the score to 9-7 as they beat N. Tessier/Hedde.
The nine conference titles will be put on the line tomorrow morning at Southwest Missouri States Cooper Tennis Complex.
