FORT WAYNE, Ind. – After Illinois State was initially victorious in No. 1 doubles, IPFW responded by clinching the doubles point and winning three-straight singles matches en route to a 5-2 victory over the Redbirds Friday night at Empowered Sports Club.
"We competed well and showed a lot of heart," said head coach Maja Kovacek. "We needed to execute a little better in doubles and get to a better start in singles. We will make some adjustments in practice next week to prepare for our first home match on Saturday against Eastern Illinois."
Illinois State fell to 0-2, while IPFW improved to 3-1.
Despite the No. 1 doubles duo of Kadi Ilves and Donna Haycock recording a 6-4 victory over IPFW's Marcy Huck and Maya Suto to start Friday's non-conference match, IPFW answered by earning victories in No. 3 and No. 2 doubles, respectively, to clinch the doubles point. In No. 3 doubles, Natalia Parchowska and Chanel Scudiero lost to IPFW's Alina Schibol and Sara Sherif, 6-4, and in No. 2 doubles, Catherine Shulman and Valerija Gercar fell to IPFW's Kristine Lindal and Carlota Trevino, 6-3.
The Mastodons added to their lead in singles play, as Haycock fell to Trevino, 6-1, 6-3, in No. 2 singles, and Ilves lost to Sato, 6-0, 3-6, 6-2, in No. 1 singles , establishing a 3-0 Mastodon advantage. Sofia Sorokina then scored a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Gercar in No. 4 singles, increasing IPFW's lead to 4-0.
Illinois State was successful in No. 4 singles, as Shulman persevered with a three-set victory, beating Schibol, 6-3, 6-7, 6-1. In No. 6 singles, IPFW's Sara Sherif topped Parchowska, 6-1, 6-1, and in No. 5 singles, Scudiero battled back to earn a 2-6, 6-2, 10-6 win.
Following two-straight road matches to start the season, the Redbirds will host their home-opener next Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Evergreen Racquet Club in Bloomington, Illinois. ISU is also hosting Appreciation Day at the Evergreen Racquet Club this Sunday, Feb. 1 from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome.
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