Sept. 30, 2005
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -
The Redbirds soared into the Missouri Valley Conference Individuals today advancing to eight of the ten semi-final rounds. The `Birds lost one match in number two singles and one in number one doubles. Hoover is happy with the team and looks forward to day two of the tournament in hopes of moving into the finals and taking home titles.
"I am pleased with how we performed," said Hoover. "I would have liked to win all of the matches in both doubles and singles, but we are in eight semi-finals, which is good. I'll be happy tomorrow if we move all eight players to the finals and I think we are capable of doing that."
There were seven Flights in singles. Katri Miller defeated Sara Wilhoite of Evansville 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 in number one singles. In number three singles, Emilie Sechaud won a straight set against Amanda Taillefer of Southern Illinois 6-1, 6-2. Flight four singles Véronique Parke-Bédard took a win from Meredith Esbeck of Northern Iowa 6-2, 7-5, and then went onto defeat Elizabeth Hurley of Creighton 6-1, 6-1.
Carolyne Parent also found success in number five singles, as well as Nicole Schneider in Flight six singles winning over Creighton player Sarah Grawe 6-0, 6-2. Ashley Maxwell, Matea Simovic, and Megan Rozboril all won their matches in Flight seven singles. All eight players will be moving into the semi-finals tomorrow.
Unfortunately, Michelle Rabinovich lost against Bradley's Elise Montrose in Flight two singles but Hoover believes she lost to a good player.
"This was Michelle's first time to play singles and she lost to a pretty good player." Hoover said. "She usually plays doubles for us and it takes time to get used to new matches."
In Flight two doubles, Rabinovich and Parke-Bédard beat Nicole Thurston and Hurley of Creighton 8-2, and pair Schneider and Simovic defeated Missouri State's Mali Gakovic and Paty Manzur 8-3 in Flight three doubles.
Both teams will be advancing to the semi-finals, except for number one double Miller and Sechaud due to their loss to Wichita State. Hoover knows the number one doubles is one area for the team to work on.
"We have to find a partner for Katri in Flight one doubles and a consistent number two singles player," said Hoover. "Those are our weak areas, and if we find those two things, everything will fall into place for us."
Hoover and the team will continue play in the State Farm MVC Individuals Saturday for the semi-finals. Sunday will consist of the final championship which will conclude the tournament.
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