It was a close match between Illinois State and Northern Iowa, however, victories by
Emilie Sechaud,
Carolyne Parent and
Nicole Schneider in singles play gave the Redbirds a 4-3 win over the Panthers.
Schneider, Parent and Sechaud secured the win for the `Birds in their single matches. Sechaud battled it out in a three set match for a 7-6, 7-3, 6-2 win over Hannes. Parent won 6-3, 6-1 in her No. 4 match against Moraes, and Schneider downed Muraca 6-1, 6-0 in No. 6 singles.
Illinois State (7-5, 3-1) bettered Northern Iowa (11-4, 1-3) in doubles winning the No.1 and No. 2 flights. No. 1 pair Katri Miller and Michelle Rabinovich defeated Taynara Moraes and Agnese Pukse, 8-2, which was the same score of No. 2 pair Ashley Maxwell and Véronique Parke-Bédard's win over Carolina Hannes and Mariana Muraca. At No. 3 doubles, Matea Simovic and Schneider endured a 8-7, 7-4 loss in the tiebreaker against Sara Kendall and Meghana Paritala.
Hoover was especially pleased with Parent and Schneider's play.
"We were really fortunate today that Carolyne and Nicole played so strong," said Hoover. "Their tough play helped us earn our win."
In No. 1 singles, Miller took Paritala to a tiebreaker set as they split their first two matches 6-3, 6-7(6-8). But Paritala came back to win the final set,6-4. Parke-Bédard fell short in No. 2 singles, losing 6-2, 6-4 against Pukse. Maxwell replaced Simovic at the No. 6 flight and fought through three close sets, but lost 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 to Meredith Esbeck.
According to Hoover, Miller can better her play by making minor adjustments
"Katri beat Meghana Paritala at No. 1 singles in the fall season," said Hoover. "Katri is a good enough player, but she has to be able to adjust her game a little bit."
Overall, the team hopes to keep improving in each match it plays.
"We still have some work ahead of us," said Hoover. "Tomorrow is going to be the best test for us because it is our third (match) this weekend. They (Drake) are good. In our match up, we'll be able to see if we are getting better and are capable of contending for the Missouri Valley Conference title."
The Redbirds, who head to Drake for their final match of the weekend, begin play at 12 p.m.
