In a rematch of last years Missouri Valley Conference title match, the Illinois State womens tennis team avenged a 5-2 loss in last years title bout with a 4-0 victory Sunday afternoon at Drake for its first Valley tournament title in school history.
With the win, the Birds are awarded their first automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament and extended their winning streak to 13 straight matches.
It feels really good, I really dont know what to say, head coach Chris Hoover said. You build for this all year. I was most pleased at how we just absolutely controlled the championship match from beginning to end. Its special to go the whole tournament and not lose one match.
In doubles play, the No. 1 duo of Alesia Mikalayeva and Liina Suurvarik cruised to an 8-1 victory over Cecily Dubusker and Rajasree Kuruvilla. A win at No. 3 by Brigette Zarazee and Shelby Lipson, 8-3 against Marie Mainil and Jenny Saluri, gave the point to Illinois State.
Mikalayeva, a sophomore from Minsk, Belarus, collected her 30th win of the year with a 6-1, 6-2 victory at No. 1 against Dubusker. At No. 6, Zarazee blew past Mainil 6-0, 6-1 for the third point of the afternoon.
Sealing the victory was Suurvarik at No. 2, who defeated Annali de Bruyn 7-5, 6-0 for the fourth and final point. In the regular season, Suurvariks only conference loss came at the hands of de Bruyn.
I thought that no matter how hard our matches would be that we would be we would win because we were mentally calm, Mikalayeva said. We didnt let ourselves down. I think thats the key why we won. Most of the teams are good, but as soon as troubles would come, they would panic, but we stayed calm. We achieved our goal and won the conference.
Its nice to bring ISU its first tennis championship of any kind. Everything weve done through the years, it really goes back to the Kress Shores, Larissa Fostiaks and Janelle Crabtrees who helped us get where we are today, Hoover added. All the people who have supported us, from the administration to our friends and financial boosters. You dont get here by yourself, weve had a lot of help along the way.
Everyone at home would have been proud of these kids, the way they competed and dominated the match, Hoover said.
Regional pairings will be announced May 3.
Illinois State 4 Drake 0
April 29, 2001 Drake Tennis Center
Singles
1. Alesia Mikalayeva (ISU) def. Cecily Dubusker (DU) 6-1, 6-2
2. Liina Suurvarik (ISU) def. Annali de Bruyn (DU) 7-5, 6-0
3. Zana Friganovic (ISU) vs. Cindy Skogerboe (DU) DNF
4. Elizabeth Bingier (ISU) vs. Rajasree Kuruvilla (DU) DNF
5. Shelby Lipson (ISU) vs. Jenny Saluri (DU) DNF
6. Brigette Zarazee (ISU) def. Marie Mainil (DU) 6-0, 6-1
Doubles
1. Mikalayeva/Suurvarik (ISU) def. Dubusker/Kuruvilla (DU) 8-1
2. Alana Hoffman/Friganovic (ISU) vs. Skogerboe/de Bruyn (DU) DNF
3. Lipson/Zarazee (ISU) def. Salri/Mainil (DU) 8-3
