March 11, 2011
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -
Final Results 
The Illinois State women's tennis team started off its weekend of competition with success, defeating Detroit-Mercy, 6-1, Friday at The Racquet Club of Memphis.
The Redbirds had an early lead against the Titans, capturing the doubles point after winning all three doubles matches. The team of Aniko Kiss and Phyllis Tigges defeated Julia Fernandes and Carolina Espinosa, 8-5, at the No. 1 position while Ariane Maack and Carolina Abello dropped Raina Halabi and Elena Strakhova, 8-5, at the No 2 spot. Rounding out doubles play, the No. 3 team of Hannah Esker and Heather Nisbett topped Melanie Capuano and Erin Weldon, 8-4.
After winning the doubles point, the Redbirds increased their lead winning five of six singles matches to come away with the win. The first singles win of the day came from Esker at the No. 6 position, defeating Fernandes, 6-1, 6-2. Next to finish, Tigges beat Strakhova, 6-1, 6-3, at the No. 2 position, with Maack finishing third at the No. 4 spot, topping Weldon, 6-0, 6-2. The only loss on the day came from Kiss at the No. 1 position after losing to Espinosa in a three-set tie-break, 2-6, 6-1, 10-7. Phillips beat Capuano at the No. 5 position, 6-2, 6-2, while Abello defeated Halabi, 6-1, 7-5, to finish play for the day.
Overall, head coach Chris Hoover was very pleased with the results of Friday's match.
"We played really well (Friday)," said Hoover. "I am really pleased with our team. It was our first outside match and we won so I am really happy. Our first set of singles was some of the best singles we have played all year. Aniko let up a little bit and had a tough match, and Carolina had a little blip in her second set but other then that we played great."
The `Birds are now 4-4 on the season and will look to increase their wins as they play Memphis Saturday. Hoover believes Saturday will be somewhat of a challenge for ISU.
"We're excited to play Memphis," said Hoover. "Memphis is a really good team. It is going to be another tough day but it is supposed to be great weather and coming off of a winning day like today puts us in a very good position."
Illinois State will face Memphis Saturday at The Racquet Club of Memphis at 1:00 p.m.
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