April 5, 2008
Final Stats
DES MOINES, Iowa -
Senior Katri Miller's straight-set win brought the Illinois State women's tennis team its fourth Missouri Valley Conference win as they topped Drake, 6-1, on Saturday April 5 in Des Moines, Iowa, at the Drake Tennis Center. The Redbirds' dominant performance puts the `Birds at 10-8 on the season and 4-1 in the MVC, while Drake falls to 7-12 overall and 1-3 in the MVC.
Miller beat Veronika Leszayova, 6-1, 6-4, at the No. 1 spot. Miller has won 6 of her last singles contests and 18 overall victories. Miller's winning streak has brought head coach Chris Hoover some excitement.
"Katri played very well and is really beginning to step up and that's exciting," said Hoover. "I am excited about her progress and it comes at the perfect time as we begin to get in the meat of the competition."
The `Birds were able to secure four other singles points in Saturdays action. In the No. 2 position sophomore Julia Zubkova earned her 22nd victory as she beat Irina Kalashnikova, 6-3, 6-2. Véronique Parke-Bédard continued her seven-game winning streak as she beat Kari Sloboth, 6-4, 0-6, 10-4, in the No. 3 spot. Junior Tanja Hrovatic beat Sarah Plowman, 6-1, 6-1, in flight No. 5.
Due to injuries on the Drake lineup, the Birds were able to earn the No. 6 spot singles point also.
The Redbirds took their only singles loss at the No. 4 spot as senior Carolyne Parent fell to Daria Zawislak, 6-3, 6-2.
In doubles action, the `Birds took the earned point as Miller and Parke-Bedard topped Plowman and Leszayova, 8-4, at the No. 1 spot and as Drake was also forced to forfeit at the No. 3 doubles spot due to injuries. In the No. 2 position Parent and Zubkova fell to Sloboth and Kalashnikova, 8-5.
Hoover continues to see the determination in his team.
"We were a little hesitant about playing outside," said Hoover. "But after sitting down with the team and preparing ourselves, we came out and fought very hard for the win. Everyone continues to play their hardest and I am proud of that."
Next time the Redbirds compete will be on the new Gregory Street Tennis courts on Sunday, April 13, as they play host to Wichita State. The first serve is set for 10 a.m.
