NORMAL, Ill. -- Liina Suurvarik will have a chance to become the career leader in doubles victories for the Illinois State womens tennis team, this weekend as the Redbirds travel to Kalamazoo, Mich., for the Western Michigan Invitational.
If Suurvarik gains her 96th career doubles victory this weekend she will pass up her former doubles partner Alesia Mikalayeva. Suurvarik, who currently has 109 singles wins and 204 overall, captured the career singles record this fall passing up Jennifer Liepa.
Head coach Chris Hoover feels that if Suurvarik breaks this record, it will be well deserved..
Liina has been the best tennis player I have ever had the opportunity to work with, Hoover said. Its only fitting for her to hold the top ISU records. She is one of the best that has ever come through Illinois State.
This will be the first tournament since the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Midwest Regionals two weeks ago. Coming off this break the Birds will have a tough challenge when they go up against Indiana, DePaul, and the host Western Michigan.
Coach Hoover is expecting the Birds to be a little rusty from their time off but to bounce back.
I am looking for the team to rebound off their loses at the ITA Midwest Regionals, Hoover said. I am hoping that Suurvarik, Katri (Miller), and Laura (Gravino) will get some wins this weekend.
The Western Michigan Invitational begins Friday at the West Hill Athletic Club, in Kalamazoo, Mich. at 9:00 a.m., and play will go through Sunday Nov. 9.
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