April 8, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State senior women's tennis player Katri Miller was named Missouri Valley Conference Athlete of the Week as announced by the league office Tuesday. Miller went 4-0 in last week's competition, helping the Redbirds propel their overall record to 10-8 and 4-1 in the Valley.
Miller claimed her first win of the weekend against Northern Iowa's Meghana Paritala, 6-1, 6-4, in No. 1 singles, Friday. This victory marked the first time Miller topped Paritala since 2006.
"Competing against Meghana was always emotionally hard for me," said Miller. "She is a good player and it is always difficult to pull out a win. I felt great after winning the match on Friday. It also felt great because my team was there supporting me. Overall, I'm really happy about the win and honored to be named the athlete of the week."
Miller captured her second weekend singles victory Saturday, as she defeated Drake's Veronika Leszayova, 6-1, 6-4, also at the No. 1 spot.
In doubles, Miller partnered with senior Véronique Parke-Bédard and earned two wins at the No. 1 doubles position, giving the duo its 14th overall doubles victory.
The Redbirds will host Wichita State, Sunday. The match is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., at The Gregory Street Tennis Courts, unless weather forces the match indoors at the Evergreen Racquet Club in Bloomington, Ill.
