March 10, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State women's tennis will take flight to Hawaii after beginning their spring break competing against Illinois-Chicago and DePaul. The Redbirds will first face No. 22 Hawaii Pacific on Tuesday, March 11 at 9 p.m. CST in Honolulu and then play No. 1 BYU-Hawaii on Friday, March 14 at 8 p.m. CST in Laie, Hawaii. The final match of the Hawaii trip is against No. 17 Hawaii Hilo on Saturday, March 15 in Hilo, Hawaii. The time for the Hilo match is still to be determined. The Redbirds enter the Pacific West Conference with a 3-5 record.
BYU-Hawaii enters with a 7-0 mark. BYU-Hawaii has won all 7 matches with a score of 9-0. BYU-Hawaii competes in two more matches before facing Illinois State. Hawaii Hilo has a 9-3 record, winning 8 straight matches 9-0. Hawaii Pacific joins in with a record of 6-1.
Head coach Chris Hoover looks to his seniors to guide the Redbird's through the nationally-ranked competition.
"I always look to our seniors to lead the team, specifically Véronique (Parke-Bédard) and Carolyne (Parent)," said Hoover. "I've had a lot of faith in Carolyne these last few weeks. Every practice she has done really well. Every match she seems to be in a battle, she just hasn't been able to produce the points for us, but hopefully in the next couple of weeks that will change for her since she has been working so hard. I think she is going to get a break somewhere. Right now it is Carolyne and Véronique's team, it's their year."
Although Hoover mainly looks to Parke-Bédard and Parent for leadership, junior Tanja Hrovatic and sophomore Julia Zubkova have become key elements to the ISU team.
"Julia and Tanja are really doing well also," said Hoover. "They are continuously playing well and have great attitudes and are working hard in practice and during matches."
Overall, Hoover looks to the trip as a growing experience, both on and off of the courts.
"Its going to be a good trip with great competition," said Hoover. "But it is also going to be a great bonding experience for the student-athletes. Hopefully we will come out with some wins and get better each match."
