April 29, 2005
PEORIA, Ill. -
The Illinois State women's tennis team successfully completed the first phase in its quest for a third Missouri Valley Conference tournament title as it defeated Southern Illinois 4-2 in Valley tournament action.
Laura Gravino defeated Maria Blanco 6-3, 6-1 at the No. 1 position, while Elizabeth Bingier downed Tana Trapani in the No. 2 spot 4-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5. In the No. 3 flight Veronique Parke-Bedard claimed a win over Amanda Taillefer 6-0, 6-2, and Emilie Sechaud defeated Zoya Honarmand 6-1, 6-0 at the No. 4 position. Matea Simovic rounded out the Redbird singles winners with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Laura Bredniak in No. 6 spot.
Head coach Chris Hoover was pleased with the Redbird win, and hopeful the team can continue its run for a third Valley tournament title.
"I'm glad we got the win today," said Hoover. "We didn't play as well as we're capable, we gave up the doubles point, so hopefully today served as a wake-up call. To win tomorrow we'll have to play to the best of our abilities, and hopefully we can come out on top."
The Redbirds return to action Saturday at 3 p.m. for the semi-final round of the tournament at the David Markin Tennis Courts. The team will face the winner of the Indiana State/Evansville match, scheduled for 3 p.m. today.
