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Illinois State University Athletics

Illinois State Comes Back for 4-3 Win over Drake

April 9, 2006

Results

DES MOINES, Iowa - Despite the strong wind and loss in doubles, Illinois State (8-5, 4-1) fought back to win four single matches against Drake (10-9, 2-2) for the 4-3 victory. Nicole Schneider finished the three match weekend undefeated at No. 5 singles and has earned a team's career high in wins.

Katri Miller and Michelle Rabinovich faced Veronika Lesyova and Sarah Plowman for No. 1 doubles and lost 8-4. No. 3 double pair, Nicole Schneider and Matea Simovic, endured an 8-3 defeat from Drake's Irina Kalshnikova and Eveline Rusdianto.

The only doubles win for ISU came from Ashley Maxwell and Véronique Parke-Bédard's 8-7 triumph over Kari Sloboth and Allison Wilkie. However, the match win was not enough for the Redbirds to win the doubles point.

Assistant coach Liina Suurvarik believes there were many contributing factors to today's defeat in doubles.

"It was our first match outside and it was windy," said Suurvarik. "We didn't adjust to the conditions and we were not expecting Drake to play as well as they did. We also let up in our matches and missed way too much."

After suffering a shocking loss in doubles, the team did not give up.

Schneider's memorable No. 5 match win against Wilkie 6-0, 6-1, puts her on an eight match win streak this season and an impressive 11-2 record. Not to mention, the No. 5 all star has broken the tie with Carolyne Parent (10-3) for the team's career high in victories.

In addition to Schneider's win, Miller's stamina through a three set match won her No. 1 singles against Lesyova 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, and No. 3 Emilie Sechaud did the same for her victory over Rusdianto, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. Simovic also enjoyed a win in her 6-4, 6-2 defeat over Plowman at the No. 6 position.

Unlike Miller and Sechaud, Parke-Bédard lost in her three set against Kalshnikova 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, and another ISU loss came from Parent's No. 4 match against Sloboth, 6-4, 6-1.

Overall, Suurvarik was pleased with the team and its tough come back.

"I am very proud of how everyone fought," said Suurvarik. "This is the first match that the team came back after losing doubles, and I am very pleased with the singles. We saw that it is possible to come back against a good team."

Next for the Redbirds will be a home match on April 15 against Missouri State at 1p.m.

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