The Illinois State womens tennis team clinched its second conference victory, and fifth straight win, by defeating Indiana State, 6 - 1, Saturday afternoon at Wabash Valley Tennis Club.
Leading Illinois State at the No. 1 doubles position was Liina Suurvarik and Katri Miller, who defeated Carolina Salinas and Logan Becker, 8-6. At the No. 3 position, Laura Gravino and Ashley Maxwell grabbed the other doubles point when they defeated Indiana States Magda Narczewska and Lisa Herndon, 8-6.
In singles play, No. 1 Suurvarik downed Carolina Salinas, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4. The wins came at the No. 2, 3, 4, and 5 positions. Elizabeth Bingier defeated Madga Narczewska at the No. 3 position, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3. Laura Gravino picked up her seventh victory in a row when she defeated Indiana States Magda Faferek, 6-1, 6-3.
Gravino continues to dominate in singles play and head coach Chris Hoover is impressed.
Laura has been on a mission lately, Hoover said. She goes in and takes people apart before they know what happened. She has a great mind for tennis.
Although Illinois State walked away with the win, Hoover felt his team was not as prepared as they should have been.
I think Indiana State gave us a wake up call, Hoover said. We were not ready for a fight and to put balls away. We cant live on talent, we have to be prepared. They made us work for the victory.
The Redbirds return to action in a home match-up against Evansville at the McCormick Courts on Friday, April 2. The match begins at 3:30.
Illinois State 6, Indiana State 1
Doubles
No. 1 - Liina Suurvarik/Katri Miller (ISU) def. Carolina Salinas/Logan Becker (Ind. State) 8-6
No. 2 - Leah Esmero/Laura Whitney (Ind. State) def. Elizabeth Bingier/Emilie Sechaud (ISU) 8-4
No. 3 - Laura Gravino/Ashley Maxwell (ISU) def. Magda Narczewska/Lisa Herndon (Ind. State) 8-6
Singles
No. 1 - Liina Suurvarik (ISU) def. Carolina Salinas (Ind. State) 6-1 , 5-7, 6-4
No. 2 - Katri Miller (ISU) def. Leah Esmero (Ind. State) 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
No. 3 - Elizabeth Bingier (ISU) def. Magda Narczewska (Ind. State) 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
No. 4 - Laura Gravino (ISU) def. Magda Faferek (Ind. State) 6-1, 6-3
No. 5 - Emilie Sechaud (ISU) def. Laura Whitney (Ind. State) 6-3, 6-4
No. 6 - Lisa Herndon (Ind. State) def. Ashley Maxwell (ISU) 6-4, 2-6, 6-2
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