Redbirds Pick Up Win Outdoors At Saint Louis

ST. LOUIS – The Illinois State women's tennis team got back to its winning ways Sunday, as the Redbirds defeated the Saint Louis Billikens on the road by a score of 6-1 in non-conference action.

"I'm really happy with the team's effort today," ISU head coach Maja Kovacek said. "We are starting to play better and better outdoors, and I give a lot of credit to Elena for clinching the win in a close matchup and taking some pressure off of Tijana and Othilia."

The Redbirds took the early lead, with the duo of Tijana Zlatanovic and Tara Damnjanovic pulling out a 6-3 win at the No. 1 doubles spot and the No. 3 tandem of Penelope Abreu and Othilia Brodin securing a 6-0 sweep to clinch the doubles point.

Damnjanovic and Abreu then picked up straight set wins in singles action at the No. 2 and No. 3 spots respectively and Elena Jankulovska clinched the victory for the Redbirds with her 7-6, 7-5 win at the No. 4 spot. That took the pressure off of Zlatanovic and Brodin, who each fought back to win in three sets to bring the score to its final at 6-1.

Illinois State (11-7) returns to action on Tuesday for a match in DeKalb against Northern Illinois, with first serve set for 1 p.m.

ILLINOIS STATE 6, SAINT LOUIS 1
 
Singles competition:
1. Tijana Zlatanovic (ILS) def. Elizabeth Mintusova (SLU) 6-3, 1-6, 6-2
2. Tara Damnjanovic (ILS) def. Mariona Perez (SLU) 6-2, 6-2
3. Penelope Abreu (ILS) def. Mya Spencer (SLU) 6-3, 6-0
4. Elena Jankulovska (ILS) def. Jessica Stefan (SLU) 7-6, 7-5
5. Othilia Brodin (ILS) def. Anna Derecka (SLU) 3-6, 6-2, 6-3
6. Nawal Cheema (SLU) def. Ivon Mihaleva (ILS) 6-4, 6-2

Doubles competition:
1. Tijana Zlatanovic/Tara Damnjanovic (ILS) def. Elizabeth Mintusova/Mariona Perez (SLU) 6-3
2. Mya Spencer/Jessica Stefan (SLU) def. Jelena Karla Vujicic/Alicja Zduniak (ILS) 6-0
3. Penelope Abreu/Othilia Brodin (ILS) def. Anna Derecka/Nawal Cheema (SLU) 6-4

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