Redbirds Defeat SEMO, 6-1, in Home Opener

RESULTS

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's tennis team swept Southeast Missouri State, 3-0, in doubles and went on to win, 6-1, during ISU's home opener at the Evergreen Racquet Club Friday night. 

"We got off to a great start in doubles and didn't give our opponents many opportunities," said head coach Maja Kovacek. "We didn't execute as well in singles in some spots, but we found ways to win. Considering it was our first match, I am happy with our performance."

The Redbirds started off strong, winning all three doubles matches to earn the doubles point. ISU's Veronika Golanova and Jana Kustkova swept Missouri State's Isabella Krupa and Viviana Ortiz, 6-0 to win the Flight 2 doubles match. In Flight 1 doubles action, Redbird duo Marcia Tere-Apisah and Kadi Ilves defeated Southeast Missouri State's Mariya Kostiuk and Anais Emelie, 6-1 to clinch the doubles point. To round out doubles play, Sarah Paulson and Chanel Scudiero topped Mila Majtan and Annisa Warasanti, 6-2.

ISU also dominated singles play Friday evening, with Kustkova, Golanova, Tere-Apisah, Scudiero, Ilves and Valerija Gercar all notching victories. To start off singles play Kustkova defeated Emelie in two quick sets, 6-2, 6-2. Shortly thereafter, Golanova topped Krupa, 6-2, 6-0. Tere-Apisah secured the Redbird win by defeating Kostiuk in a tight match, 7-5, 7-5. Ilves won against Majtan in three sets, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. Gercar earned the final Redbird victory of the night, topping Viviana Ortiz, 6-3, 7-6. 

The Redbirds will wrap up their opening weekend Sunday against Western Illinois at the Evergreen Racquet Club in Bloomington, Illinois, at 1 p.m. The match is free to the public and doughnuts will be provided. For updates on ISU women's tennis, follow them on Twitter: @RedbirdWTEN.

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