NORMAL, Ill. – After opening its 2021 season at the Bloomington Tennis & Turf complex last weekend, the Illinois State women's tennis team will host three matches this weekend to continue its season-opening home stand. A split doubleheader Friday against DePaul (1p.m.) and Illinois-Springfield (6 p.m.) will be followed by a Sunday showdown with Kansas City (9 a.m.).
"After getting that first match under our belt last weekend, we're just looking forward to getting everyone opportunities to compete and get better," ISU head coach Maja Kovacek said.
The Redbirds opened the season last weekend against Omaha, dropping a narrow 4-2 decision to the Mavericks. Newcomers Alicja Zduniak, Tijana Zlatanovic and Penelope Abreu each played well in their ISU debuts, and will look to keep that momentum going this weekend.
DePaul features a familiar lineup, with every athlete returning from last year's team, and opens its season Friday against the Redbirds. Aspasia Avgeri heads up the seven returnees, after going 18-11 in singles last year including 12-4 in tournament play. UIS will also open its season against ISU Friday, with six players on the roster heading to Normal.
A Sunday matinee with UMKC caps off a busy weekend of tennis for the Redbirds. The Roos were selected by Summit League coaches for a preseason fourth place ranking and senior Yana Grechkina was named to the Preseason Athletes to Watch list. Grechkina, a two-time all-conference performer, pieced together a 2-1 record in No. 2 singles during the shortened 2019-20 season.
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