Feb. 25, 2011
Normal, Ill. -
Final Stats 
The Illinois State women's tennis team fell to Butler, 5-2, Friday night at the Evergreen Racquet Club in Bloomington, Ill., to bring its overall record on the season to 1-4.
Junior Aniko Kiss and Phyllis Tigges were the only two Redbirds able to earn points for Illinois State after winning their singles matches. Kiss defeated Natali James in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, at the No. 1 position while Tigges beat Stephanie McLoughlin, 6-2, 6-2, at the No. 2 position. Kiss and Tigges also paired up at the No. 1 doubles position falling to McLoughlin and partner Gabrielle Rubenstein, 8-6.
Despite the overall loss on the day, head coach Chris Hoover saw some major improvements from his top two singles positions.
"Aniko and Phyllis did well (Friday)," said Hoover. "Aniko started playing like I know she can, it's the kind of tennis we have been waiting for all season. Phyllis on the other hand, being new to the team and only a freshman, really showed what she's made of. They both did a great job and played some great tennis."
Also in doubles play, Hannah Esker and Carolina Abello took on Gabriella Bobrowski and Brittany Farmer, losing 8-2, while twin sisters Heather Nisbet and Ashton Nisbet teamed up against Natali James and Caroline Hedrick, falling 8-6.
In singles, Abello lost to Hedrick at the No. 3 spot, 6-1, 6-1, and Gabby Phillips was defeated by Rubenstein 6-1, 6-3, at the No. 5 position. At the No. 6 position, Stefanie Youngberg took on Farmer winning her first set 6-3, but Farmer fought back winning the next two sets, 6-1, 6-1. Finally rounding out play, Esker lost to Bobrowski at the No. 4 position 4-6, 6-2, 12-10.
Overall, Hoover feels the team could have performed better.
"(Friday) was disappointing," said Hoover. "We came out there and had a real chance to get the win but we didn't play our best tennis. We've never lost to Butler and we knew they had an improved team this year but we should have done a better job all around. Hopefully we have learned something from tonight and can apply it (Saturday) at our next match."
The `Birds next match will take place Saturday against Eastern Illinois at the Evergreen Racquet Club at 1 p.m.
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