The second and final day of the Saint Louis Invite started at 9 am on Saturday, Sept. 10. The tournament was to go until Sunday, however ended a day early due to unknown reasons. Nevertheless, the `Birds left the tournament pleased winning two championship titles. In Flight A singles,
Katri Miller won the championship, while
Michelle Rabinovich and
Megan Rozboril paired to win the doubles championship in Flight B titles.
Head coach Chris Hoover believed that Illinois State was the best team at the tournament and was happy with the matches won by the `Birds.
"We were the best team there and the highlight was Katri winning the singles championship title." Said Hoover. "I am very pleased with her strong comeback since her knee injury."
Miller was set against Katarina Lozanova of Saint Louis University. She beat Lozanova in three sets (6-7, 6-2, 11-9), and won the singles championship.
Emilie Sechaud also participated in the Flight A singles and went on to win a match against Drew Krystal of Southeast Missouri State in two sets (6-3, 6-3). Sechaud was then defeated by Lozanova in three sets, (6-4, 4-6, 10-8), who went on to compete against Miller for the championship. Carolyne Parent did well in Flight B singles advancing far, but lost to one of the best players in the tournament Natalie Martin of Eastern Illinois who went onto to win the Flight B singles championship. Hoover was happy with Parent.
"I was happy with Carolyne's performance. She played hard in her matches and she lost to the best player from Eastern Illinois. I think she did a great job," says Hoover.
Flight B doubles tournament was the other victory that stood out for the Redbirds. Michelle Rabinovich and Megan Rozboril took the tournament by storm by defeating Saint Louis in the championship round in one set 8-4. They left behind defeated double teams from Saint Louis as well as SEMO.
The tournament turned out to be successful for Illinois State. Coach Hoover is ready to come back and get the team ready for the Mizzou Invite coming up.
"We know we have stuff to work on and we have to work hard. We want to work on playing more consistently." Said Hoover. "We are going to concentrate on getting ready for the Mizzou Invite which should take us a step up in competition."
The `Birds next stop is the University of Missouri for the Mizzou Invite on Friday, Sept. 16. The tournament will begin on Friday and end on Sunday, Sept. 18.
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