The Illinois State womens tennis team made a clean sweep in singles on the first day of the Missouri Valley Conference Individual Championships, advancing to the semi-final round in every singles flight. The Birds remain in the running for eight of ten titles.
In singles, on her way to re-capturing her title at the No. 1 position, Redbird Liina Suurvarik dropped University of Evansvilles Jessica Jetton (6-1, 6-1). Suurvarik remains undefeated for the season in both singles and doubles play.
At No. 2, Illinois States Alesia Mikalayeva defeated Wichita States Ana Ines Exeni (6-2, 7-5). At No. 3, newcomer Emilie Sechaud defeated Southern Illinois Jessica Knitter (6-1, 7-6(6)).
Redbird Shelby Lipson had to win two matches to claim her spot in the semi-finals, and that she did, defeating both Drake Universitys Rebekah Thomas (6-4, 6-0), and Southern Illinois Zuzana Palovic(6-4, 6-1).
At No. 5, Redbird and 2001 MVC Freshman of the Year Laura Gravino downed Wichitas Genevieve Spink (6-2, 6-2). At No. 6, ISUs Alana Hoffman swept Indiana States Logan Becker (6-0, 6-0), and at No.7, Normal Community West HS product Ashley Maxwell took care of business, defeating Indiana States Samantha Yun (6-3, 6-0).
In doubles, the Birds were not quite so successful. Only the dynamic duo of Liina Suurvarik and Alesia Mikalayeva could come up with a win, defeating Creightons team of Roth/Cavan (8-2).
At No. 2 the Redbird team of Dasha Cizkova and Alana Hoffman fell to Indiana States duo of Esmero/Whitney (8-6). At No. 3, Redbirds Laura Gravino and Shelby Lipson were defeated by Southwest Missouri States team of Miller/Alvarez (8-4).
Head coach Chris Hoover was pleased with his teams efforts.
It was a pretty successful day, said Hoover. We need to keep themomentum going in singles, and focus on tomorrows matches.
Play continues at the Cooper Tennis Complex at 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, and runs through Sunday, October 6.
