Results
NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's tennis team recorded its third-straight win and fourth Missouri Valley Conference victory Saturday morning by defeating Drake, 4-3, at the Gregory Street Tennis Courts.
"We showed a lot of heart today and I'm so proud of our players for never faltering in their belief," Illinois State head coah Maja Kovacek said. "It was senior day for Marcia and to get a win this way, coming back from a 0-3 deficit, makes it such a special memory for her and it puts us in a great position for MVC play going into the final week of competition."
In doubles play, Illinois State went 1-1 before forfeiting the third due to injury. Marcia Tere-Apisah and partner Jelena Karla Vujicic earned a 6-4 win over Summer Brills and Joely Lomas. The Redbird duo of Gabriela Sprague and Gercar fell to Tess Herder and Kenya Williams, 6-2.
With Drake leading, 2-0, the Redbirds went on to win four-out-of-five matches in singles competition to clinch the victory. Tere-Apisah took home a win on senior day by defeating Brills, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1. Sprague took down Herder in two intense sets, 6-4, 6-3, while Andrea Beneroso was also victorious after three sets with Jaglarz, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. Gercar clinched the win by coming from behind to defeat Williams, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2.
"Playing today was so special," Tere-Apisah said about playing her final match at Illinois State. "The atmosphere was great and felt different compared to other days.
"There was incredible support from the fans, playing alongside my teammates and getting the win was such an amazing feeling. I'm so proud to be part of an awesome team and most of all to be a Redbird. Team Redbird for life."
Illinois State is now 10-10 overall and 4-1 in MVC play. The Redbirds will not play at home again until they host the MVC Team Championships April 28-30. Until then, Illinois State will play two more MVC matches. The Redbirds will travel to Missouri State April 21 and then to Wichita State April 22.
For live updates and more, follow Redbird Women's Tennis on Twitter: @RedbirdWTEN.
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