Redbirds Sweep Evansville, 6-1

NORMAL, Ill. - In the first home outdoor match of the season, the Illinois State women's tennis team defeated Missouri Valley Conference foe Evansville, 6-1, in ISU's fifth MVC match of the spring season, improving the record to 9-8 and 2-3 in the MVC. Duo Phyllis Tigges and Madeliene Baillon recorded a victory at the Doubles No. 1 position, continuing their five-match consecutive winning streak.

"It was nice to have everybody back and I was super pleased with how we performed today," head coach Chris Hoover said. "After Sierra and Emmie were out, they came back strong and I'm happy. Hopefully we can take some of this momentum and take it with us into the match tomorrow against Southern [Illinois]."

Junior Emmie Marx returned to the courts today after being out due to illness for the last two weeks. She resumed playing in the Doubles No. 2 position with partner, Sierra Stone, as well as her post at Singles No. 2.

ISU began the day's competition on a strong note, winning two of three doubles matches and securing the doubles point over Evansville. Phyllis Tigges and Madeliene Baillon recorded their fifth straight win in the Doubles No. 1 position and remain undefeated in MVC matches. The win improved the pair's doubles record to 12-8, 5-0 MVC.

Evansville's Natasha James became injured during double's competition, forcing her to forfeit her spot in Singles No. 2. The Redbirds rode out the momentum from the doubles point win and defeated Evansville in all but one singles matches.

Singles Results 

1. Tigges fell to Trousilova, 7-6 (0), 6-2 
2. Marx defeated Moreno, 6-1, 7-5
3. Stone beat Costales, 6-3, 6-3 
4. Carolina Abello edged Brguljan, 6-7 (5) 7-5, 10-8 
5. Baillon beat Milovic, 6-0, 6-1
6. Kadi Ilves won by forfeit 

Next, the Redbirds will host Southern Illinois tomorrow, April 19, in their last match of the spring season before they host the MVC Men's and Women's Tennis Championships April 25-27. Competition is slated to begin at 1 p.m. CT at Gregory Street Courts in Normal, Ill.

GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.