Liina Suurvarik and Alesia Mikalayeva led the Illinois State womens team to a 4-3 victory over Missouri Conference Valley leader Southwest Missouri State Saturday.
The dynamic duo of Suurvarik and Mikalayeva led the Redbirds to a hard fought doubles point, by dropping Ia Zozrashivili and Cassandra Godfrey, 8-3, in the No. 1 flight. In the No. 2 position, Laura Gravino and Alana Hoffman clinched the doubles point by defeating Maria Amato and Marta Rubina, 8-5.
The Birds were able to continue their winning ways as Suurvarik defeated Zozrashvili, in the No. 1 singles spot, 6-0, 7-5. In the No. 2 position, Mikalayeva was able to drop Cassandra Godfrey in straight sets, 6-0, 6-3. In the No. 4 spot, Laura Gravino clinched the victory by dropping Rubina, 6-3, 6-1
Head coach Chris Hoover was excited that the Redbirds were able to step up and defeat a challenging SMS.
With this win we feel we put our fate in our own hands, Hoover said. Hopefully we are able to keep up our level of play, we have to make sure to not let up.
The Redbirds, who are 2-0 in Valley play, will be looking to continue their undefeated record in the Valley Sunday playing at Wichita State, at 1 p.m.
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