April 27, 2012
OMAHA, Neb. -
After sweeping the first four points over Creighton, the Illinois State women's tennis team (12-11, 6-2 MVC) advanced to the second round of the Missouri Valley Conference Championships, 4-0. Entering the tournament in the No.3 position, the Redbirds drew the No.6 Blue Jays as their opponent, who they had defeated earlier during the regular season.
The Redbirds posted the doubles point after wins in the first and third position. The first flight pairing of Aniko Kiss and Emmie Marx swept Jennie Hartjes and Analese Snyder, 8-0, and Stefanie Youngberg and Hannah Esker posted a long-fought victory over Elizabeth Vermillion and Amanda Noonan, 8-6.
"Winning the doubles point always puts us in a great place to start," said head coach Chris Hoover. "The No.2 flight for Creighton was named to the MVC All-Conference team, so we knew they would be tough to beat. We came out competitive, and that really carried through for the rest of the matches."
Kiss and Marx continued to dominate during their respective singles matches. Marx posted the next win over Kelsey Schmidt, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, and Kiss followed by downing Hartjes for the second time, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. Phyllis Tigges secured the Redbird victory after defeating Snyder, 6-2, 6-4.
"Heading into Drake tomorrow, we're hoping to start it off competitive and strong," said Hoover. "Every flight is a battle for that point, and we're hoping to down Drake just like they downed us during regular season play."
The Redbirds head into the second round of play on Saturday against Drake, hitting the courts at 9 a.m.
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