April 7, 2012
DES MOINES, Iowa -
Senior Hannah Esker was the only Redbird to post a point for Illinois State University (7-10, 1-1 MVC) against Drake (19-4, 3-0 MVC) on Satruday, April 7 with a score of 6-1, in the first of two Missouri Valley Conference away matches for the team over the weekend. Esker defeated Jessica Aguilera in the sixth position, 6-1, 6-2.
"It was a tough match," said head coach Chris Hoover. "We didn't play as well as I hoped and we definitely have some things to work on for tomorrow."
Illinois State failed to post the crucial doubles point, despite a win from partners Phyllis Tigges and Ariane Maack, who defeated Aguilera and Kavdija Rebol in the second position, 8-5. Esker and partner Stefanie Youngberg were unable to defeat Amanda Aragon and Nell Boyd in the third position, and fell, 8-5. At No.1, Emmie Marx and Aniko Kiss fell against Gabriela Demos and Manca Krizman, 8-3.
Illinois State finished singles in three sets in both the second and fifth flights, but was unable to post the point to the board; Marx at No.2 fell to Rebol, 2-6, 7-5, 6-0, and Youngberg was defeated at No.5 to Ali Patterson despite a close third set, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. Kiss came close to drawing the match to the third set, but fell againt Krizman, 6-1, 7-5. Maack, in the fourth position, was defeated in two close matches against Boyd, 7-5, 6-3, and Tigges was only able to win two games against Demos, 6-1, 6-1, in the No.3 position.
"We plan on really rebounding for the match tomorrow," said Hoover. "We have to stop being afraid of winning and instead focus on being competitive. If we do that, I know we'll have a chance."
Illinois State returns to play on Sunday against Northern Iowa, heading onto the courts at 10 a.m.
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