NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State Women's tennis team defeated Missouri State 5-2 to remain undefeated in the MVC conference. The team is 3-0 in the MVC and is now 15-6 overall.
The Redbirds came onto the court ready for the Bears and swept the doubles matches to secure the doubles point. Sophomore Laura Fitzgerald was the first on the board in the singles matches, defeating Phoebe Boeschen 7-5, 6-4. Junior Natalia Bravo and senior Veronika Golanova defeated their opponents at the No. 3 and No.1 spot, respectively. Freshman Tara Damnjanovic closed out the match by taking down Alye Darter 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 to secure the win for the 'Birds.
This win marks the 10th win for Damnjanovic, who is now the third person on the team to put up double digits in the win column.
Redbirds Scoring Breakdown:
Singles competition
1. Veronika Golanova (ILST) def. Anna Alons (MSU) 3-6, 6-1, 6-3
2. Tara Damnjanovic (ILST) def. Alye Darter (MSU) 5-7, 6-2, 6-2
3. Natalia Bravo (ILST) def. Fati Khamissi (MSU) 7-6, 6-1
4. Clara Gandara Gonzalez (MSU) def. Jana Kustkova (ILST) 7-6, 6-3
5. Laura Fitzgerald (ILST) def. Phoebe Boeschen (MSU) 7-5, 6-4
6. Ellie Burger (MSU) def. Ivon Mihaleva (ILST) 0-1 DNF 7-6, 0-6, 6-3
Doubles competition
1 Veronika Golanova/Tara Damnjanovic (ILST). Anna Alons / Ellie Burger (MSU) def. 6-4
2. Jana Kustkova/Laura Fitzgerald (ILST) def. Alye Darter/Mara Presot (MSU) 6-2
3. Natalia Bravo/Ivon Mihaleva (ILST) def. Fati Khamissi/ Phoebe Boeschen (MSU) 6-5
Thoughts from Coach Maja Kovacek:
"We were solid in all three of our doubles matches and getting that point really helped overall because every singles match was a close battle. Natalia and Laura did great picking up two set wins and I'm very proud of Veronika for coming back from behind to get that fourth point for us."
Up Next: The Redbirds return home for the final weekend of the season to play UNI on Saturday, April 20 and Drake on Sunday, April 21.
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