Redbirds Win 7th In a Row With Win Over Chicago State

PARK FOREST, Ill. – The Illinois State women's tennis team wrapped up its weekend in the Chicagoland area Sunday, as the Redbirds had little trouble with the Chicago State Cougars in a 7-0 victory that extended the team's winning streak to seven in a row.

"We did a better job today bringing the energy in doubles and we carried that over in singles play," ISU head coach Maja Kovacek said. "Overall, it's been a great week of tennis for us and a great way to lead into the tough matches on our spring break trip coming up."

The Redbirds had little trouble in doubles action, winning all three matches relatively easily to take the early point. The duo of Tijana Zlatanovic and Tara Damnjanovic continued to roll, winning 6-2 at the No. 1 spot. Natalia Bravo and Laura Fitzgerald picked up a 6-1 victory at the No. 2 spot, and multiple time MVC Doubles Team of the Week Jelena Karla Vujicic and Alicja Zduniak won at the No. 3 spot to complete the sweep.

The Redbirds also swept the singles matches easily, with reigning MVC Singles Player of the Week Zlatanovic leading the way with a straight set win at No. 1. Yesterday's deciding point against UIC came from Damnjanovic, who took down Kristina Pukhaeva 6-0, 6-1 at the No. 2 spot. Penelope Abreu and Fitzgerald also won easily at the No. 3 and No. 4 spots, while Laura Arciniegas defeated Chicago State's Lizi Morgoshia 6-2, 6-0 at the No. 5 spot. Newcomer Othilia Brodin rounded out the dominant effort for the Redbirds with a 6-3, 7-5 win at the No. 6 spot over CSU's Susana Andres.

RESULTS: Illinois State 7, Chicago State 0
 
Singles competition:
1. Tijana Zlatanovic (ISU) def. Diana Borodina (CSU) 6-2, 6-1
2. Tara Damnjanovic (ISU) def. Kristina Pukhaeva (CSU) 6-0, 6-1
3. Penelope Abreu (ISU) def. Katarina Drazic (CSU) 6-2, 6-0
4. Laura Fitzgerald (ISU) def. Katarina Dukic (CSU) 6-2, 6-2
5. Laura Arciniegas (ISU) def. Lizi Morgoshia (CSU) 6-2, 6-0
6. Othilia Brodin (ISU) def. Susana Andres (CSU) 6-3, 7-5
 
Doubles competition:
1. Tijana Zlatanovic/Tara Damnjanovic (ISU) def. Diana Borodina/Katarina Drazic (CSU) 6-2
2. Natalia Bravo/Laura Fitzgerald (ISU) def. Susana Andres/ Katarina Dukic (CSU) 6-1
3. Jelena Karla Vujicic/Alicja Zduniak def. Lizi Morgoshia/Kristina Pukhaeva (CSU) 6-5 (4)

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