April 29, 2012
Box Score
OMAHA, Neb. -
For the third year in a row, the Illinois State women's tennis team (13-12, 7-3 MVC) fell to No.58 Wichita State in the finals of the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championships on Sunday, 4-1, in Omaha, Neb.
WSU quickly downed the Redbirds in doubles action, sweeping the first two flights. Powerhouse pairing of No.1 partners Aniko Kiss and Emmie Marx were unable to score against Lucia Kovalova and Delia Damaschin, 8-0. Phyllis Tigges and Ariane Maack fell to No. 82 Lutfiana Budiharto and Carla Venticinque, 8-0, in the second flight, handing the Shockers the point.
"We were ambushed in doubles," said head coach Chris Hoover. "Despite posting losses, I was very proud of the way the team performed. Wichita State just proved too much for us to handle."
Tigges rebounded in the No.3 singles flight, handing a loss to Kovlaova, 6-0, 6-2, who had previously downed Tigges during regular season play.
"Phyllis played amazingly well today," said Hoover. "She has done amazing things this year. She has improved in all aspects of the game, and I am expecting even better things from her next season."
Despite a win in the third position, the Redbirds crumbled across the flights. Despite posting wins during semi-final play, Kiss and Carolina Abello both fell in their respective flights. Despite posting one more game to the score than during regular conference play, Abello fell to Veronika Blaskova, 6-3, 6-1, in the fourth flight. Kiss was defeated by No.82 Budiharto, 6-2, 6-2, in the No.1 position. Hannah Esker was bested by Venticinque, 6-1, 6-0, in the bottom flight.
"It was a tough loss," said Hoover. "But I know we'll be back again next year."
With the loss to Wichita State, ISU completes the 2011-12 season with a record of 13-12, 7-3 MVC.
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