WATERLOO, Iowa – The Illinois State women's tennis posted strong results on the first day at the MVC Individual Championships, as the team went 2-1 in doubles play and 3-1 in singles play.
"We had a great effort today in singles and for the most part in doubles as well," Coach Maja Kovacek commented. "We struggled a bit at the number two spot, but I'm expecting them to bounce back in the next couple matches."
Sophomore Tara Damnjanovic and senior Jelena Vujicic opened up the tournament with a victory against UNI's Proudfoot/Carr 8-7 (7-2) in Flight 1. Juniors Ivon Mihaleva and freshman Elana Jankulovska also advanced to the semifinals, defeating Valparaiso's Tabanera/Sysouvanh, 8-1, in Flight 3.
Damnjanovic and Fitzgerald also won their respective singles matches, with Damnjanovic defeating Missouri State's Alye Darter 6-2, 6-7(4-1), 6-1 in Flight 1 and Fitzgerald taking down UNI's Thaissa Moreira 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 in Flight 4. Junior Natalia Bravo, senior Laura Arciniegas, and Ivon Mihaleva all had byes in their respective singles brackets. Overall, two doubles teams and six singles players will be playing in semifinal matches tomorrow for the 'Birds.
"I see every match as an opportunity to improve my mental and physical game and both of my matches were tough today," said Damnjanovic. "I put in a lot of hard work, stayed mentally strong and was happy to come away with two wins. I feel confident going into the next match tomorrow and I'm excited to play."
Play will resume tomorrow and results will be added day to day at http://mvc-sports.com/sports/2019/9/9/19InTenChamp.aspx.
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