NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State Women's tennis team will head to the NCAA tournament for the fifth time in school history on Saturday, May 4 as they travel to Los Angeles to face the No.15 USC Trojans.
SCOUTING USC
The Trojans have a record of 18-7, which includes two wins over Top 25 opponents in UCLA and South Carolina. The team is led by the No 1 doubles team in the nation, Angela Kulikov and Rianna Valdes. The duo finished the regular season with a record of 25-5. USC also has two players ranked in the Top 100 in singles as well, with Selma Ewing ranked No. 51 and Angela Kulikov ranked No. 83.
'BIRD BITS
Illinois State earned the automatic bid after downing Stony Brook 4-3 in the MVC Championship. Natalia Bravo clinched the win for ISU, as she persevered through a three-set battle. The Redbirds were tabbed as the regular season MVC Champions as well, after completing the conference slate with an unblemished record.
ISU is led by the duo of Jana Kustkova and Laura Fitzgerald, who own an 11-1, 5-0 MVC record. The tandem was selected as the best in the Valley, earning MVC All-Conference at the No. 2 doubles slot. Additionally, Fitzgerald finished the MVC slate undefeated in No. 5 singles competition. The Greystones, Ireland, native has been consistent for the 'Birds, owning a 14-7 overall record.
NCAA & THE VALLEY
This is the first time in 14 years that ISU has made the NCAA Tournament. The 2005 Redbirds traveled to California, and fell to UCLA 4-0. The Missouri Valley Conference has made 20 NCAA Tournament appearances, collecting one win in 2007 when Wichita State survived a 4-3 victory to advance to the second round.
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