NASHVILLE– The Illinois State women's tennis team improves to an overall 6-3 record after defeating Murray State 4-1 on, Sunday, Feb. 17.
Murray State was first on the board securing the doubles point, winning 2-1. The 'Birds gained momentum and swept singles play 4-0 sealing the match victory. Senior Veronika Golanova led the way, defeating Chang 6-4, and 6-3 in the No. 1 spot. Freshman Tara Damnjanovic, senior Jana Kustkova and junior Natalia Bravo also added to the left side of their records.
Redbirds Scoring Breakdown:
Singles competition
1. Veronika Golanova (ILST) def. Claire Chang (MUR) 6-4, 6-3
2. Tara Damnjanovic (ILST) def. Aarja Chakraborty (MUR) 6-4, 6-3
3. Jana Kustkova (ILST) def. Stasya Sharapova (MUR) 1-6, 6-1, 6-3
4. Natalia Bravo (ILST) def. Amina Hadzic (MUR) 6-1, 6-3
5. Laura Fitzgerald (ILST) vs. Sara Loncarevic (MUR) 0-1 DNF
6. Ivon Mihaleva (ILST) vs. Jeanne Masson (MUR) 0-1 DNF
Doubles competition
1. Stasya Sharapova/Anja Loncarevic (MUR) def. Veronika Golanova/Jana Kustkova (ILST) 6-7 (5)
2. Claire Chang/ Jeanne Masson (MUR) def. Tara Damnjanovic/Natalia Bravo (ILST) 5-7
3. Laura Fitzgerald/Ivon Mihaleva (ILST) def. Amina Hadzic/Sara Loncarevic (MUR) 6-2
Thoughts from Coach Maja Kovacek:
"We had a great team effort today. I'm really proud of how our top four responded after losing the doubles point. We had great leadership out there with Veronika and Jana coming up with those hard-fought wins. Tara and Natalia made the necessary adjustments from yesterday, served better and did a great job finishing off their close sets."
Up Next: The Redbirds return to the Bloomington Tennis Center next weekend as they host the Redbird Invitational beginning on Saturday, Feb. 23.
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