NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State Women's tennis team took down Drake 6-1 to take home the MVC Regular Season Championship. The 'Birds concluded the 2019 season as an undefeated squad, finishing in MVC play to secure the title for the first time since 2005.
The Redbirds clinched the doubles point after senior Jana Kustkova and sophomore Laura Fitzgerald took down Drake's Liza Petushkova/Kenya Williams 7-5. The senior-sophomore duo ended the season undefeated with a record of 10-0 in singles play. Sophomore Ivon Mihaleva won the first point for the 'Birds after taking down Kelsey Neville 6-2, 6-2 at the No. 6 spot. Next was Fitzgerald, who took down Kenya Williams 6-0, 6-2 at the No. 5 spot. Fitzgerald ended the year undefeated in both doubles and singles in conference play. Finally, Kustkova defeated Daria Walczak 6-2, 6-2 at the No. 4 spot to capture the match for the 'Birds.
"It's amazing, in the four years that I've been here, we've always been so close, so it's an amazing feeling," said senior Veronika Golanova. "Making history with the first title in 14 years, it's awesome."
"I've been on this team for four years, and we've been close, but we haven't finished like this," quoted senior Jana Kustkova. "It's amazing to leave the legacy and to leave the team in the best possible position we can."
Redbirds Scoring Breakdown:
Singles competition
1. Liza Petushkova (DRA) def. Veronika Golanova (ILST) 5-7. 7-6, 11-9
2. Tara Damnjanovic (ILST) def. Carmen Palumbo (DRA) 2-6, 7-5, 10-8
3. Natalia Bravo (ILST) def. Sophia Haleas (DRA) 6-3, 7-5
4. Jana Kustkova (ILST) def. Daria Walczak (DRA) 6-2, 6-2
5. Laura Fitzgerald (ILST) def. Kenya Williams (DRA) 6-0, 6-2
6. Ivon Mihaleva (ILST) def. Kelsey Neville (DRA) 6-2, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Veronika Golanova/Tara Damnjanovic (ILST) def. Carmen Palumbo/Daria Walczak (UNI) 6-1
2. Jana Kustkova/Laura Fitzgerald (ILST) def Liza Petushkova/Kenya Williams (UNI) 7-5
Thoughts from Coach Maja Kovacek:
"This group gave a fantastic effort today. It's hard to single anybody out, but Jana and Laura have been invaluable at the number 2 doubles spot. They have been playing consistently so well and have not lost a match this year. To add to that Laura is 5-0 in MVC singles play as well, and continues to impress me each week with how well she handles herself in close matches. The seniors had great performances today as well, with Jana clinching the fourth point, and Veronika playing great doubles and coming up just short in a great match at the No. 1 spot. These two players have made such an impact and have accomplished so much on and off the court. I couldn't be more proud of them."
Up Next:
The Redbirds head to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to play in the MVC Team Championships. Matches start on April 26.
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