The Illinois State womens tennis team fell to Southwest Missouri State 4-3 today in their first match on the outdoor McCormick Courts. The Birds points came from team strongholds Alesia Mikalayeva, Liina Suurvarik, and Laura Gravino.
In singles, the points were split. Liina Suurvarik, at No.1, came out strong against SMSs Ia Zozrashvili, winning the match 6-5, 6-1. At No. 2, Redbird Alesia Mikalayeva didnt waste any time, beating SMSs Oyuki Cruz 6-1, 6-1. Also coming through for the Redbirds at No. 5, Laura Gravino defeated SMSs Laura Miller 5-7, 7-5, 10-6.
Not helping the Redbirds in singles was the fact that Alana Hoffman, who usually plays at the No. 3 position, is out with a wrist injury and had to forfeit her match. The Redbirds, therefore, also had to take a forfeit at the No. 3 doubles position. Hoffman is expected to be out for the rest of the season, but hopes to be able to play in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament, hosted this year by Illinois State University.
The Redbirds split the two doubles matches that were played. Liina Suurvarik and Alesia Mikalayeva claimed the win at No. 1 doubles, beating SMSs Ia Zozrashvili and Cassandra Godfrey.
The Redbirds will be back on McCormick Courts tomorrow at 1 p.m. to take on Wichita State University.
Illinois State 3 Southwest Missouri State 4
April 12, 2002 McCormick Courts
Singles
1.Liina Suurvarik (ISU) def. Ia Zozrashvili (SMS) 6-5, 6-1
2.Alesia Mikalayeva (ISU) def. Oyuki Cruz (SMS) 6-1, 6-1
3.Maria Amato (SMS) def. Tatyana Ugorich (ISU) 6-2, 6-4
4.Marta Rubina (SMS) def. Shelby Lipson (ISU) 6-1, 6-2
5.Laura Gravino (ISU) def. Laura Miller (SMS) 5-7, 7-5, 10-6
6. (not played)
Doubles
1.Suurvarik/Mikalayeva (ISU) def. Zozrashvili/Godfrey (SMS) 8-5
2. Cruz/Alvarez (SMS) def. Ugorich/Gravino (ISU) 8-2
3. (not played)
