Liina Suurvariks four victories this weekend against Wichita State and Southwest Missouri State helped the Illinois State womens tennis team to win the Missouri Valley Conference for the second year in a row. For her performances, Suurvarik earned Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week for the week of April 20.
Suurvarik, a senior from Tallin, Estonia, stretched her winning streak to 12 when she defeated Wichita States Ana Exeni, 7-5, 6-4, and SMSs Maja Stanojevic, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, at the No. 1 singles position.
She then teamed up with Katri Miller at the No. 1 doubles position to grab two more wins for the Redbirds. The duo downed Wichita States Wendi Webster and Ana Exeni, 8-5 and defeated SMSs Marta Rubina and Elizabeth Garza, 8-3.
Suurvarik, who has never lost a singles match in the league, ended her last season as a Redbird 9-0 in the Valley and 29-6 overall. She also holds the ISU tennis record for career singles (127-25) and doubles (115-23) wins.
After having such a successful career at Illinois State, head coach Chris Hoover was excited that Suurvarik was being recognized for her accomplishments.
I dont think there are enough awards that a player like that can win, Hoover said. Im thrilled anytime she is recognized because she has done so much for the team and the program. I am so proud of her and thrilled that she is graduating in two weeks magna cum laude.
The Birds begin the MVC Championship Tournament on Friday, April 23, in Wichita, Kan.
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