ST. LOUIS - The `Birds took flight as they opened their season at the Biliken Fall Classic Friday. Illinois State will advance three players into the second round of singles.
Head coach Chris Hoover feels that the `Birds performance was fifty-fifty it was a mix of good and bad performances.
"We have a lot to work and improve on and this tournament gives us a place to start," said coach Hoover.
In Flight A of singles action Veronique Parke-Bedard fell to Amanda Hellberg (6-3, 2-6). Also competing in the A Draw Katri Miller was defeted by Sandra Sasidharan of Eastern Illinois University (6-3, 6-1).
"Even though Veronique lost in singles, she put up a good fight," added Hoover. "I am really excited about a her performance."
Advancing in singles action, Julia Zubkova defeated Katerina Lozanova of St. Louis University (6-0, 6-2) in Flight B. In Flight C, Carolyne Parent defeated Colleen Sims of Eastern Illinois University (6-1,6-1). Matea Simovic also won her match against Stephanie Johns of Missouri (6-4, 6-2) in the Flight D singles bracket.
In doubles action, Miller and Parke-Bedard won their first match against Joe Becker and Allison Dobbins of St. Louis University (8-1). They advanced into the second round but were defeated by Josbena and Pratezel of Missouri (8-4).
In other doubles action, the `Birds will compete against each other in the doubles consolation final bracket tomorrow. Jeanell Stines and Parent will go up against their own teammates Sirnovic and Zubkova.
Stines and Parent were defeated in the first round of doubles play (8-3) by Chrissy Svetlic and Charlotte Bellis of Missouri. Despite losing in the first round, Stines and Parent continued to play in the doubles consolation bracket and won the consolation semifinals.
Simovic and Zubkova lost to Ana Renda and Amanda Hellberg of St. Louis Universiy in the first round of doubles action. Simovic and Zubkova continued on in the consolation bracket, by defeating Johns and Dunham of Missouri (8-4) in the second round. The duo won the consolation semifinal against Becker and Bokulic of Missouri (8-5).
Coach Hoover is hoping the team will get a fresh start tomorrow and finish the tournament strong.
The "Birds will continue to play Saturday as they enter into singles quarterfinals and semifinals. They will also compete in the doubles finals of the consolation bracket.
