CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois State women's tennis team concluded the first match of its spring season, falling at No. 46 Illinois Sunday afternoon, 7-0.
"I was happy with the way we competed today," said head coach Maja Kovacek. "We battled some nerves at the beginning, but worked through it and played better as the match went on. Playing a tough Illinois team is a good learning experience for our young team and a great way to prepare for the upcoming matches."
The competition began with doubles play where sophomore Natalia Parchowska and sophomore Chanel Scudiero first fell in No. 3 doubles to Illinois' Jerricka Boone and Jade Hilton, 6-1. Freshman Valerija Gercar and freshman Catherine Shulman then lost in No. 2 doubles to Illinois' Madie Baillon and Alexis Casati, 6-4. In No. 1 doubles, the duo of junior Kadi Ilves and freshman Donna Haycock competed against Illinois' Melissa Kopinski and Louise Kwong, ending in an unfinished match, 4-4.
In singles play, Illinois claimed victory over all six flights of the competition against ISU. Haycock fell in No. 2 singles to Illinois' Kwong, 6-1,6-3, while Parchowska was defeated by Illinois' Julia Jamieson, 6-2, 6-2, in No. 6 singles. Gercar lost in No. 4 singles against Illinois' Grace Tapak, 6-1, 6-3, Ilves fell in No. 1 singles to Illinois' Casati, 6-3, 6-4, while Scudiero lost in No. 5 singles versus Illinois' Hilton, 6-1, 6-3. Shulman was defeated by Illinois' Boone in No. 3 singles, 6-3, 7-6 (4).
Next, ISU will travel to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to compete against IPFW Friday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m.
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