Sophomore Emilie Sechauds victory won the deciding match that clinched the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championship for the Illinois State womens tennis team over Southwest Missouri State, Sunday. The Redbirds (18-3, 12-0 MVC) 4-3 victory clinched the Valley tournament for the second year in a row.
Sechaud fought hard all the way into a third set to seal the victory for ISU, and head coach Chris Hoover was proud of her performance.
Emilie was such a warrior today, Hoover said. She has been battling an injury and really pulled off a huge victory for us. I am so proud of her.
In doubles action, the dynamic duo of Liina Suurvarik and Katri Miller led the way at the No. 1 position, defeating Marta Rubina and Liz Garza, 8-2. The No. 3 doubles team of Laura Gravino and Ashley Maxwell clinched the doubles point as they downed Maja Stanojevic and Mali Gakovic, 8-2.
The Birds came out strong in doubles, but Hoover was impressed with SMSs performance in singles.
We looked great in doubles and took the point quickly, Hoover said. But SMS battled with us in singles and made use work for the win.
ISU won three out of the six singles matches. At the No. 1 singles spot, Suurvarik showed her senior experience defeating Stanojevic, 6-1, 6-0. Gravino continued to dominate at the No. 4 position as she downed Ala Alvarez, 7-6, 6-1. No. 5 Sechaud claimed the match winning victory by beating SMSs Garza, 7-6, 6-7, 6-2.
Hoover was amazed with how the team performed against such tough competition.
What made todays victory so sweet was that it was such a battle, Hoover said. I felt bad that someone had to lose because both teams did everything right. I am so proud of our girls and think that they are cut from a quality cloth.
ISU will be losing their No. 1 singles and doubles player, Suurvarik, who will graduate in May. Hoover was especially impressed with Suurvariks performance.
Liina was a great senior player today, Hoover said. She had a lot weighing on her heart and she was amazing in her matches. She has done a great job for ISU tennis and I think great things will come in her future.
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