The Illinois State womens tennis team shut out Bradley, 7-0, and clinched their first conference victory of the season Friday.
Head coach Chris Hoover feels the team is ready to face off against Indiana State on Saturday.
I feel better about playing Indiana State tomorrow after grabbing a victory tonight, Hoover said. I know that we are ready.
In doubles play, the No. 1 duo of Liina Suurvarik and Katri Miller led the way by defeating Ashley Morris and Elise Montrose, 8-1. At the No. 2 position, Elizabeth Bingier and Emilie Sechaud downed Bradleys Kelley Wood and Marcie Cain, 8-4. Laura Gravino and Ashley Maxwell grabbed their third doubles victory in a row when they defeated Teri Chan and Marissa Bianchi, 8-2.
In singles play, the Birds continued to dominate as they won all six of the singles points. At the No. 1 position, Suurvarik continued to set an example by defeating Ashley Morris, 6-0, 6-2. Emilie Sechaud shut out Bradleys Teri Chan at the No. 5 position, 6-0, 6-0. At the No. 6 position, Ashley Maxwell extended her winning streak to five matches by defeating Marissa Bianchi, 6-1, 6-0.
Hoover has been pleased with Maxwell, a Normal, Ill. native, after stepping into the line-up in the middle of the season.
Ashley is on this winning streak and has really impressed me, Hoover said. She has had a year and a half of practice under her belt and she has been chomping at the bit to play. Now it is her time to step up and she is doing just that.
The Redbirds improved to 7-3 overall and 1-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference. ISU returns to the court tomorrow at Terre Haute, Ind., where they will play Indiana State. The match is slated for 3 p.m.
Illinois State 7, Bradley, 0
Doubles
No. 1 - Liina Suurvarik/Katri Miller (ISU) def. Ashley Morris/Elise Montrose (BU) 8-1
No. 2 - Elizabeth Bingier/Emilie Sechaud (ISU) def. Kelley Wood/Marcie Cain (BU) 8-4
No. 3 - Laura Gravino/Ashley Maxwell (ISU) def. Teri Chan/Marissa Bianchi (BU) 8-2
Singles
No. 1 - Liina Suurvarik (ISU) def. Ashley Morris (BU) 6-0, 6-2
No. 2 - Katri Miller (ISU) def. Elise Montrose (BU) 5-7, 6-1, 6-2
No. 3 - Elizabeth Bingier (ISU) def. Kelley Wood (BU) 6-1, 6-2
No. 4 - Laura Gravino (ISU) def. Marcie Cain (BU) 6-2, 6-0
No. 5 - Emilie Sechaud (ISU) def. Teri Chan (BU) 6-0, 6-0
No. 6 - Ashley Maxwell (IsU) def. Marissa Bianchi (BU) 6-1, 6-0
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