It seems that competing in the State Farm Womens Tennis Classic in Scottsdal, Arizona, last weekend, did Redbirds Liina Suurvarik and Alesia Mikalayeva good, as they gained the teams only points against No. 26 Indiana University.
Not only did Suurvarik and Mikalayeva put away Indianas pair of Schlukebir/Tran for the second time this year (8-6), they also both won their singles matches. Liina Suurvarik defeated Indianas Amanda Field (6-2, 6-1), while Alesia Mikalayeva put away Karie Schlukebir (6-1, 6-0).
Competing in last weeks tournament was no doubt an aid in the performance that Suurvarik and Mikalayeva put forth.
They got to go up against the big dogs last weekend, and they know that they can hang with them, said Hoover. That builds confidence, and that helped their game.
Wins and losses do not tell the whole story, though. Redbird Laura Gravino gave her all and took her match to three sets before being defeated by Indianas Dominika Walterova.
The Birds head to Florida to compete in warmer weather against Rollins on March 9, and then Stetson on March 10.
Illinois State 2 Indiana 5
March 1, 2002 Evergreen Racquet Club
Singles
1. Liina Suurvarik (ISU) def. Amanda Field (IU) 6-2, 6-1
2. Alesia Mikalayeva (ISU) def. Karie Schlukebir (IU) 6-1, 6-0
3. Inga Radel (IU) def. Alana Hoffman (ISU) 6-0, 6-1
4. Linda Tran (IU) def. Shelby Lipson (ISU) 6-1, 6-2
5. Dominika Walterova (IU) def. Laura Gravino (ISU) 4-6, 6-4, 10-7
6. Martina Grimm (IU) def. Tatyana Ugorich (ISU) 6-0, 6-2
Doubles
1. Suurvarik/Mikalayeva (ISU) def. Schlukebir/Tran (IU) 8-6
2. Field/Radel (IU) def. Hoffman/Ugorich (ISU) 8-2
3. Grimm/Walterova (IU) def. Lipson/Gravino (ISU) 8-0
