INDIANAPOLIS – The Illinois State women's tennis team took down the IUPUI Jaguars, 4-1, to finish out a two-match weekend. The Redbirds went 2-0 this weekend, taking down Western Illinois on Friday.
Illinois State (4-2) captured the doubles point to go up 1-0 in the match. After taking an early lead, sophomore Tara Damnjanovic led the way in the singles matches at the No. 1 spot, taking down IUPUI's Gabbi Ochalik 6-1, 6-2. Next, freshman Elena Jankulovska defeated Sammi Hayward 6-2, 6-3 at the No. 4 spot. Clinching the win for the 'Birds was senior Laura Arciniegas at No. 5, capturing the point over Diya Matta 6-1, 6-4.
Redbirds Scoring Breakdown:
Singles competition
1. Tara Damnjanovic (ILST) def. Gabbi Ochalik (IUPUI) 6-1, 6-2
2. Natalia Bravo (ILST) vs. Krystal Grubb (IUPUI) 2-6, 6-3, 2-0 DNF
3. Laura Fitzgerald (ILST) vs. Sarah Lounsbury (IUPUI) 6-1, 6-5 DNF
4. Elena Jankulovska (ILST) def. Sammi Hayward (IUPUI) 6-2, 6-3
5. Laura Arciniegas (ILST) def. Diya Matta (IUPUI) 6-2, 6-4
6. Marta Krakowski (IUPUI) def. Ivon Mihaleva (ILST) ret.
Doubles competition
1. Tara Damnjanovic/ Natalia Bravo (ILST) def. Gabbi Ochalik/Krystal Grubb (IUPUI) 6-3
2. Laura Fitzgerald/ Elena Jankulovska (ILST) def. Sammi Hayward/Ines Rivera (IUPUI) 6-2
3. Sarah Lounsbury/Diya Matta (IUPUI) def. Laura Arciniegas/Ivon Mihaleva (ILST) ret.
Thoughts from Assistant Coach Danielle Wagland:
"We produced a very strong performance from start to finish today. With only 5 players in the lineup, they each knew the importance of winning their match, and took care of business. We will spend the next few days working on specific areas of their games, putting us in a good position for our next road match against SIUE."
Up Next:
The Redbirds are back in action at SIUE next Friday, February 14, at 2 p.m.
