In a decisive match, Laura Gravino rallied back to win her first and third set at the No. 3 singles position, sealing the victory for the Illinois State womens tennis team over Illinois-Chicago, 4-3.
The Redbirds first point came in doubles when the women won at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions. At the No. 1 position, Liina Suurvarik and Katri Miller defeated UICs Beatriz Cabrera and Corey Steven, 8-1. The other victory was claimed by the No. 3 duo of Laura Gravino and Ashley Maxwell, who defeated Molly Smith and Christina Oum, 8-3.
The Birds have been making adjustments to their doubles line-up and head coach Chris Hoover was very pleased with the outcome of todays match.
We finally won a doubles point, Hoover said. It feels good to get that doubles point. Over spring break we worked on getting the new teams used to each other and I think we are set with the line-up we have now.
In singles, Illinois State won at the No. 3, 4, and 6 positions. Five out of the six matches went into third sets, including Gravinos win over UICs Iris Jaklin, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. At the No. 4 position, Elizabeth Bingier defeated Corey Steven, 6-2, 6-0. Ashley Maxwell scored another point for ISU, at the No. 6 position, when she defeated Athanasia Giannoulopoulou, 6-3, 7-6,
6-1.
Coach Hoover felt the match today was evenly played and proved a lot about his team.
Today we learned that we have a team playing, not just individuals, Hoover said. I knew it was going to be a tough match because I think both teams were evenly matched. I am very pleased with our performance and I am excited to start conference play.
ISU moves to 5-3 for the spring season and will begin conference play on March 27, against Bradley and Indiana State. The matches will be held at Indiana State.
Illinois State 4, Illinois-Chicago 3
Doubles
No. 1 - Liina Suurvarik/Katri Miller (ISU) def. Beatriz Cabrera/Corey Steven (UIC), 8-1
No. 2 - Iris Jaklin/Ayca Gumuscu (UIC) def. Elizabeth Bingier/Emilie Sechaud (ISU), 8-4
No. 3 - Laura Gravino/Ashley Maxwell (ISU) def. Molly Smith/Christina Oum (UIC), 8-3
Singles
No. 1 - Beatriz Cabrera (UIC) def. Liina Suurvarik (ISU), 6-2, 6-3, 6-3
No. 2 - Ayca Gumuscu (UIC) def. Katri Miller (ISU), 7-5, 6-3, 6-3
No. 3 - Laura Gravino (ISU) def. Iris Jaklin (UIC), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
No. 4 - Elizabeth Bingier (ISU) def. Corey Steven (UIC), 6-2, 6-0
No. 5 - Molly Smith (UIC) def. Emilie Sechaud (ISU), 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2
No. 6 - Ashley Maxwell (ISU) def. Athanasia Giannoulopoulou (UIC), 6-3, 7-6, 6-1
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