Oct. 13, 2006
COLUMBIA, Mo. -
Senior Katri Miller and the Illinois State women's tennis team got back into action Friday at the Mizzou Mock-Duals, competing against Missouri, Iowa State, and Saint Louis, in Columbia, Mo.
The four-way tournament that started Friday and will conclude Sunday, is being played with a hidden dual style in which each school plays five doubles and three singles rounds. There will be individual results, but no team score.
In doubles play, the Flight A duo senior Miller and junior Véronique Parke-Bédard dominated. After first beating their opponents Alyssa Palen and Chrissy Derouin of Iowa State 8-4, the pair continued their victories with another win over Saint Louis' Katerina Lozanova and Tara Grant, 8-3. Head coach Chris Hoover was pleased with the flight A performance.
"Both Miller and Parke-Bédard stepped up today," said Hoover. "I'm happy that they did as well as they did and hopefully tomorrow will yield the same results."
In flight B doubles, freshman Julia Zubkova and senior Matea Simovic came up just short of wins. Their Iowa State opponents, Jill Palen and Kara Hickey, won 8-5, while second opponents, Ana Renda and Amanda Hellberg of Saint Louis, came up on top with a score of 8-3.
Flight C doubles, freshman Jeanelle Stines and junior Caroline Parent also had close losses. Iowa State's Danielle Uscinski and Eve Soriano won with a score of 8-2, while Saint Louis's Rachel McCullogh and Joe Becker also beat the pair 8-2.
The `Birds then competed in singles play against Missouri, where Miller was again the top finisher. Beating her opponent Amanda Pratzel 6-3, 6-7 (8-6), 7-5, Miller showed that she was ready to lead the `Birds in this mock-dual tournament. Following in Miller's steps, Zubkova won her flight B match against Erika Josebena 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (3). The remaining four Redbirds, Parke-Bedard, Simovic, Stines, and Parent, came close of wins, but fell short to their Mizzou opponents.
Hoover thinks the tournament is important in order to redeem the Redbird's reputation after the close losses at the Missouri Valley Conference Individuals two weekends ago.
"We really just have to learn how to fight again and this tournament gives us a chance to do that," said Hoover. "I'm happy to see Katri setting a good example today and from here we just have to continue to try to be the best team."
Play will continue Saturday, with all teams facing two teams in doubles and one in singles. First serve is set for 10 a.m. at the Green Tennis Center.
###
Friday Results
Doubles
Iowa State vs. Illinois State
Katri Miller/Veronique Parke-Bedard(ILST) def. Alyssa Palen/Chrissy Derouin(ISU)8-4
Jill Palen/Kara Hickey (ISU) def. Julia Zubkova/Matea Simovic (ILST) 8-5
Danielle Uscinski/Eve Soriano (ISU) def. Jeanelle Stines/Caroline Parent (ILST) 8-4
Illinois State vs. Saint Louis
Katri Miller/Veronique Parke-Bedard(ILST)def. Katerina Lozanova/Tara Grant(SLU)8-3
Ana Renda/Amanda Hellberg (SLU) def. Julie Zubkova/Matea Simovic (ILST) 8-3
Rachel McCullagh/Joe Becker (SLU) def. Jeanelle Stines/Caroline Parent (ILST) 8-2
Singles
Mizzou vs. Illinois State
Katri Miller (ILST) def. Amanda Pratzel (MU) 6-3, 6-7(8-6), 7-5
Julia Zubkova (ILST) def. Erika Josbena (MU) 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (3)
Katelyn McKenzie (MU) def. Jeanelle Stines (ILST) 6-2, 6-3
Raquel Wagner (MU) def. Caroline Parent (ILST) 6-3, 6-4
Chrissy Svetlic (MU) def. Veronique Parke-Bedard (ILST) 6-4, 6-3
Charlotte Bellis (MU) def. Matea Simovic (ILST) 6-2, 6-7 (2)
Katelyn McKenzie (MU) def. Dora Losonczy (ILST) 8-0
