The Illinois State womens tennis team lost a challenging opening meet to No. 58 Furman when they fell 5-2 Saturday at the Mickel Tennis Center.
The Redbirds were able to pick up victories in singles action as Liina Suurvarik defeated Mary Kovarik, 6-4, 6-1, in the No. 1 position. Laura Gravino was also able to pick up a victory at No. 5 when she defeated Shellie Cochran, 7-5, 6-3.
In doubles action, the Redbirds were led by Suurvarik and Alesia Mikalayeva who breezed by Kovarik and Caroline Bentley, 8-1, at No. 1 position. Head coach Chris Hoover felt this was the best match of the day.
We did not play particularly well all day. Hoover said, A few of our girls seemed to have first game jitters and they did not play as strong as I felt they could have,
The Redbirds take on a bigger challenge Sunday when they play nationally-ranked No. 3 Georgia at 11 a.m. in Greenville S.C.
No. 58 Furman 5 Illinois State 2
January 25, 2003 Mickel Tennis Center
Singles
1. Liina Suurvarik (ISU) def. Mary Kovarik (FU) 6-4, 6-1
2. Mary Neill Hagood (FU) def. Alesia Mikalayeva (ISU) 7-5, 7-6 (4)
3. Natalie The (FU) def. Emilie Sechaud (ISU) 6-0, 6-1
4. Shannon Moore (FU) def. Elizabeth Bingier (ISU) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
5. Laura Gravino (ISU) def. Shellie Cochran (FU) 7-5, 6-3
6. Marti Morris (FU) def. Shelby Lipson (ISU) 6-2, 6-0
Doubles
Suurvarik/Mikalayeva (ISU) def. Kovarik/Caroline Bentley (FU) 8-1
The/Morris (FU) def. Gravino/Alana Hoffman (ISU) 8-2
Hagood/Krista Thomson (FU) def. Lipson/Ashley Maxwell (ISU) 8-3
-- ## --
