Redbirds Liina Suurvarik and Alesia Mikalayeva have the No. 1 doubles title under their belts after the second day of competition at the Missouri Valley Conference Individual Championships.
Doubles play was completed today, and all Redbird teams found themselves in the rankings. After losing on Friday at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles, the Redbirds battled back to take fifth place at both positions.
At No. 2 doubles, Alana Hoffman and partner Dasha Cizkova defeated Southwest Missouri States Rubina/Gakovic (8-3), while at No. 3 Shelby Lipson and Laura Gravino put away Creightons team of Whelan/Green (8-5).
In singles, the Redbirds remain in the running for the title at six of the seven flights, and may very well exceed last years accomplishments. At No. 1, Redbird Liina Suurvarik defeated Indiana States Carolina Salinas (6-1, 6-1), putting herself in the position to take the singles title for the third year running.
At No. 2, ISUs Alesia Mikalayeva put away Indiana States Margie McGraw (6-1, 6-0). At No. 3 Redbird freshman Emilie Sechaud defeated Southwest Missouri States Marta Rubina (6-4, 4-6, 6-2).
At No. 5, 2001 MVC freshman of the year Laura Gravino downed Drakes Marie Mainil (6-0, 6-2). At No. 6 senior Alana Hoffman put away Creightons Molly Green (6-0, 6-1).
Last but not least, competing for the title at No. 7, is Normal Community West HS product Ashley Maxwell.
As a team, the Redbirds only gave up two matches. The first was at No. 4 singles. Redbird Shelby Lipson fell to Indiana States Leah Esmero, but only after battling her way through three matches (1-6, 6-3, 6-0). The second loss came from Redbird Dasha Cizkova, who was also competing at No. 7 singles. Lipson and Cizkova will compete for third place in flights four and seven, respectively.
Action continues at the Cooper Tennis Complex at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5.
