Normal, Ill. -- The dynamic duo of Liina Suurvarik and Alesia Mikalayeva led the Illinois State womens tennis team to the Birds fifth win in a row and fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference by dropping Northern Iowa, 6-1.
In doubles play, the Redbirds swept the matches and picked up a victory in the No. 3 position due to injury. Suurvarik and Mikalayeva gained the victory in the No. 1 doubles position by dropping Jamie Noyce and Archana Reddy, 8-1. In No. 2 doubles, Laura Gravino and Alana Hoffman blanked Kelly Maifield and Marcia Willis, 8-0.
The Birds continued on their winning ways by dropping the Panthers in 4 of the 5 singles matches played. In No. 1 singles, Suurvarik continued her dominance by dropping Archana Reddy 6-3, 6-1. In No. 3 singles, Laura Gravino breezed by Korkoi Quaye 6-0, 6-0. Emilie Sechaud was able to hold down the No. 5 position defeating Marcia Willis. The Birds only defeat came when Liz Bingier sprained her ankle at the No. 4 position, resulting in an ISU forfeit.
Head coach Chris Hoover was impressed with the effort that his team gave today.
I felt we played good tennis all around, Hoover said. This was a big win, and they are only going to get bigger as we try to win the conference.
The Redbirds will try to improve their Valley record to 5-0 Saturday as they take on Drake at 1 p.m., at the McCormick Tennis Courts.
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