In an exciting meet Friday night the Illinois State womens tennis team gained their first victory of the season by defeating regionally-ranked No. 11 DePaul 4-3.
Led by Liina Suurvarik the Redbirds were able to gain victories in four singles matches. Suurvarik defeated Szilvia Kelemen 6-1, 1-6, 6-0. In the deciding match of the night Shelby Lipson defeated Rachel Dybas 4-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-3. Laura Gravino gained her second victory of the season by pulling out a victory against Karen Falduto 6-0, 4-6, 6-2. Emilie Sechaud was the other Redbird to gain a victory by defeating Brenda Leung in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.
In doubles play, Suurvarik and Alesia Mikalayeva gained another victory for the season by defeating Kelemen and Marina Parashkevova 8-5. Elizabeth Bingier and Lipson dropped a hard fought doubles match to Natalie Matko and Leung 8-6.
Head coach Chris Hoover was excited that his team was able to get past DePaul for the first time in three years.
This victory has been a long time coming, Hoover said. The past three years DePaul has beaten us 4-3, not even our 2001 team was able to gain a victory against them.
The Redbirds will be looking to gain another victory on the road against Marquette February 15, at 10:30 a.m.
Illinois State 4 DePaul 3
January 31, 2003 Evergreen Racquet Club
Singles
1. Liina Suurvarik (ISU) def. Szilvia Kelemen (FU) 6-1, 1-6, 6-0
2. Marina Parashkevova (DU) def. Alesia Mikalayeva (ISU) 6-4, 6-1
3. Emilie Sechaud (ISU) def. Brenda Leung (DU) 6-4, 6-4
4. Natalie Matko (DU) def. Elizabeth Bingier (ISU) 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
5. Laura Gravino (ISU) def. Karen Falduto (DU) 6-0, 4-6, 6-2
6. Shelby Lipson (ISU) def. Rachel Dybas (DU) 4-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-3
Doubles
Suurvarik/Mikalayeva (ISU) def. Kelemen/Parashkevova (DU) 8-5
Matko/Leung (DU) def. Bingier/Lipson (ISU) 8-2
Falduto/Megan Stewart (DU) def. Gravino/Ashley Maxwell (ISU) 8-6
-- ## --
