Feb. 25, 2012
CHICAGO -
The Illinois State women's tennis team was only able to secure the doubles point on Saturday in Chicago against the UIC Flames, posting a loss of 6-1.
The Redbirds began the match by posting wins in flight one and flight three singles, giving them the overall point for doubles. Despite only being paired together for the second time, Aniko Kiss and Emmie Marx defeated their opponents Teona Tsertsvadze and Elisa Simonetti, 8-5. At No. 3, team captain Hannah Esker and Stefanie Youngberg came out on top of a close match, besting Jana Knoppe and Linda Hricistova, 9-7.
"We consistently play well in doubles," said head coach Chris Hoover. "Our problem lies in singles play."
After posting a win in doubles, both Kiss and Marx failed to carry the victory to their individual singles matches. Both were both defeated in three sets; Kiss by Mariya Kovaleva at the No.1 position, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, and Marx by Haley Craig in flight three, 5-7, 6-4, 12-10.
Youngberg posted a close first set, but was unable to make a comeback in time to force the third, finishing her match against opponent Linda Hricistova in the No. 5 position, 7-5, 6-3.
"The student-athletes are struggling to find themselves," said Hoover. "They're having a hard time getting into the rhythm of singles play. Both Aniko and Emmie should have won, and so should Stefanie. But they all came close, playing difficult opponents, so I know that we can get them to the point where they can win next time."
Esker was swept in two by UIC's Kathryn Sharples, 6-0, 6-0. Phyllis Tigges was defeated in the No. 2 position by Teona Tsertsvadze, 6-2, 6-3, and Ariane Maack posted flight four a loss of 6-2, 6-4 against Jana Knoppe. The two paired off for doubles, where they lost in the No. 2 position, 8-4.
"We can do better," said Hoover. "I know we can. Being home next weekend will help. We will bring back all our notes from today and bring home a win in the next match."
Illinois State hosts their first home match of the spring season against Eastern Illinois on Friday, March 2 at the Evergreen Racquet Club. The Redbirds hit the courts at 7:30 p.m.
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