Liina Suurvarik will lead the Illinois State womens tennis team to the Missouri Valley Conference Individuals this weekend, a tournament they have controled in the past. The Redbirds have taken 25 Valley individual titles in the past six years, including six titles last year.
Suurvarik started the tournament out right last year for the Birds capturing the Flight One individual title, her third consecutive individual title. Departed senior Alesia Mikalayeva, captured her second Valley individual title in four years. Junior, Laura Gravino captured her first Valley Individual title at the number five spot last year. Sophomores, Emilie Sechaud and Ashley Maxwell won individual titles at the Flight Three and Flight Seven postitions respectively. Also the duo of Suurvarik and Mikalayeva won their second straight doubles title at the Flight One position.
Head coach Chris Hoover has guided the Redbirds to 28 Valley individual titles in his nine year career at ISU. Hoover feels the Birds have a good chance to keep up their winning ways this weekend at the tournament.
Our goal each year is to come away with a championship in each event, Hoover said. Elizabeth (Bingier) has stepped up strong this fall. Liina and Laura have also been playing excellent tennis so far this season.
The Missouri Valley Individuals play begins Friday, Oct. 3, and will continue through the Sunday, Oct. 5, at the Cooper Tennis Complex at the host school Southwest Missouri State.
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