Feb. 26, 2010
Final Stats
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State's doubles pair Hannah Esker and Carmen Peters won their six-straight match as the Redbirds took down the Eastern Illinois Panthers, 7-0. The win marks Illinois State's second home victory of the season and improves their record to 7-3 on the year.
Esker and Peters claimed the first Redbird win of the night as they defeated Shannon Brooks and Kristen Laird, 8-1, at the No. 3 court. The duo now holds an 8-2 dual record this season.
Most recently, one of Illinois State's No. 2 doubles players hyper-extended her elbow and was pulled due to injury. Freshman Ariane Maack was again given the opportunity to play at the varsity level with regular No. 2 doubles player Aniko Kiss. The pair did not disappoint as they clinched the doubles point for the Redbirds against Cara Huck and Annie Egan, 8-2. Julia Zubkova and Franziska Steinhardt continued to play at the No. 1 court and bested Amanda Dibbs and Merritt Whitley, 8-6, marking a 7-2 record on the season.
"Doubles was strong tonight at the two and three court," head coach Chris Hoover said. "We ran up strong on Eastern and won the point. Three doubles played solid and came out on-top. I said they need to start getting paid for the lessons they're giving to people in doubles. When they're together and focused, they aren't going to lose."
Claiming the winning point for Illinois State was Zubkova at the No.2 singles court. She defeated Cara Huck in a two-hour, nail biting match, 6-3, 4-6, 10-7. The win improves Zubkova's overall singles record to 7-3.
"I thought we played well in singles tonight as well," said Hoover. "We came out firing in doubles and Julia had a two-hour match at the number two court. Everyone was really focused and concentrated and this is what happens, you win. I think Arianne is still coming along at number five singles and same with Aniko. They're both getting smarter and better each time they play, along with Hannah. You can always count on Hannah, she's a rock for us."
The Redbirds return to the court when they head to Orlando, Fla., for their spring break trip. While there the team will compete against University of Connecticut on March 7 and South Dakota State on March 9. Time and location TBA.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, TRC gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
