Women's Tennis Closes Out Regular Season Schedule at Home

April 18, 2008

NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State women's tennis team will finish out its regular season schedule with two home games against Evansville Saturday, April 18, at 1 p.m., and against Southern Illinois Sunday, April 14, at 10 a.m. Both matches are set for the new Gregory Street Tennis Courts weather permitting. The Redbirds are currently tied for third with Northern Iowa in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 4-2 mark. Illinois State is 10-9 overall and has a five-match winning streaks against both Southern Illinois and Evansville.

Head coach Chris Hoover looks to this weekend for success in light of last week's loss against Wichita State.

"We're excited to get back on the courts and play, especially since we didn't do too well against Wichita State," said Hoover. "We need to come back and give Southern Illinois and Evansville all that we have, and hopefully we will get to do that outside and in good weather at our new facilities."

Evansville currently has an 11-9 overall record and is 1-4 in the Valley. Before facing the Redbirds, Evansville will face off against Bradley on Friday. The Purple Aces are led by Kate Chybowski who competes at the No. 2 singles position and has earned an 18-2 overall record. Chybowski has also compiled a 10-7 doubles record at the No. 1 spot with partner Pin Sorenson.

Before coming to Normal on Sunday, the Salukis have two matches against Indiana State and Bradley, however they are currently 10-9 overall and 3-2 in the MVC. Sabine Tsala Mvilong has rallied to win seven of her last 10 matches for an overall mark of 13-6, at the No. 1 spot. Michela Cruise has also been a top contributor to the Salukis success with an 11-7 record in the No. 3 position.

Illinois State continues to see success across the court, especially at the No. 2 spot with sophomore Julia Zubkova. Zubkova leads the team in wins with a 23-9 singles mark and has only lost one of her six MVC matches. Senior Véronique Parke-Bédard has also only lost one MVC match and holds a 19-11 overall singles record, mainly in the No. 3 position.