CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Illinois State women's tennis team has secured a spot in the MVC Semifinals after downing Valparaiso 4-0 on Friday, April 26. The Redbirds will compete next on Saturday, April 27 at 2 p.m., and will play the winner of the UNI/Bradley match.
The senior-freshman duo of Veronika Golanova and Tara Damnjanovic took down Claire Czerwonka/ Dao Sysouvanh 6-3 to clinch the doubles point for the Redbirds after ISU picked up a win due to forfeit. Next on the board was sophomore Laura Fitzgerald who defeated Jordan Kopfer 6-0, 6-1. Junior Natalia Bravo sealed the match with a victory over Dao Sysouvanh 6-0, 6-3.
Redbirds Scoring Breakdown:
Singles competition
1. Veronika Golanova (ILST) vs. Claire Czerwonka (VALPO) 6-3, 5-3 DNF
2. Meg Modesto (VALPO) vs. Tara Damnjanovic (ILST) 7-5, 2-2 DNF
3. Natalia Bravo (ILST) def. Dao Sysouvanh (VALPO) 6-0, 6-3
4. Jana Kustkova (ILST) vs. Randi Wind (VALPO) 7-6 (7-4), 2-3 DNF
5. Laura Fitzgerald (ILST) def. Jordan Kopfer (VALPO) 6-0, 6-1
6. Ivon Mihaleva (ILST) def. I. Schoolcraft (VALPO) Win by forfeit
Doubles competition
1. Tara Damnjanovic/Veronika Golanova (ILST) def. Claire Czerwonka/ Dao Sysouvanh (VALPO) 6-3
2. Laura Fitzgerald/Jana Kustkova (ILST) vs. Meg Modesto/Randi Wind. VALPO) 4-4 DNF
3. Natalia Bravo/Ivon Mihaleva (ILST) def. I. Schoolcraft /Jordan Kopfer (VALPO) Win by forfeit.
Thoughts from Coach Maja Kovacek:
"I thought we did a great job handling the elements today. It was our first match outdoors since Spring Break, and our opponent came out playing well in doubles. We stayed composed and confident and got a couple of quick wins on singles to seal the match. Both Laura and Natalia have been playing on a high-level consistently every week, and I'm really happy with their performance."
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