Sept. 10, 2010
St. Louis, Mo. -
The Illinois State women's tennis team began its fall season at the St. Louis Billiken Invitational on Friday, September 10. The Redbirds faced competition from both Saint Louis and Washington. Sophomore Ariane Maack won all three matches to advance to the semifinals on Saturday.
"Today was a good first day," said head coach Chris Hoover. "The competition was competitive but we fought hard and I am very pleased with the results."
In the first round of play against Saint Louis, the `Birds were defeated 7-1. Maack was the only player able to come away with a win in a tie break against Jenny Nalepa, 6-2, 7-5 (10-7). She then went on to beat Washington's Natalie Tingir in round two, 6-2, 6-2.
Also in round two play against Washington, junior Aniko Kiss defeated Kate Klein in a tie break, 6-1, 6-0, (10-7), and freshman Carolina Abello won her first collegiate match defeating Elise Sambol, 6-1, 6-4, (10-7). Freshman Gabby Phillips also came away with her first collegiate win, 6-1, 6-3, (10-8), and junior Hannah Esker won in straight sets against Paige Madara, 6-2, 6-2.
In doubles play the team of Kiss and Abello defeated Washington's Klein and Tingir, 8-6, while the pair of Maack and Phillips won against Kristen George and Elise Sambol, 9-7.
Play continues in the St. Louis Billiken Invitational on Saturday with the tournament coming to an end Sunday.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, TRC gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
