Illinois State sophomore Alesia Mikalayeva upset No. 98 Toni Neykova of the University of Iowa (6-4, 6-3) in the first round of the Notre Dame Eck Classic.
In a tournament where every team except Illinois State is regionally ranked, the Redbirds managed to advance three players into championship brackets.
Freshman Elizabeth Bingier followed Mikalayevas trail to the winners bracket of Flight D by defeating her opponent from DePaul, Stephanie Matko (6-2, 6-1).
Brigette Zarazee won two matches on the day, winning her first round match against Beth Hayden of Iowa (6-4, 6-2) for the right to play Wisconsins Kristen Van Dernoot. Playing in her second match of the afternoon, Zarazee defeated Van Dernoon (6-0, 6-3).
Mikalayeva is slated to play Northwesterns Lia Jackson tomorrow morning in the Flight A singles quarterfinal. Bingier goes one-on-one with Steffi Hoch of Iowa in Flight D quarterfinals while Zarazee takes on Ohio States Taryn Bowen.
