Liina Suurvariks dominating performance against regionally-ranked No. 11 DePaul helped lead the Illinois State womens tennis team to its first victory, and Suurvarik to her second straight Missouri Valley Player of the Week honor.
Suurvariks stellar play included a win in the No. 1 slot against the Blue Demons Szilvia Kelemen, 6-1, 1-6, 6-0. In doubles play, Suurvarik teamed with Alesia Mikalayeva to fight past the Blue Demons Kelemen and Marina Parashkevova, 8-5. Suurvariks 2-0 performance this weekend raised her spring record to 7-1 in singles play, and 2-1 in doubles.
Suurvarik was pleased to hear that she had won the Valley Player of the Week honor, but individual awards are not the only goals she has set for the season.
I want to keep playing consistently, Suurvarik said. When I play against better schools I get to play some good players and I like to take advantage of that.
Suurvarik continues match play when she leads the Redbirds on the road to Milwaukee, Wis., against Marquette February 15, at 10:30 a.m.
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