PEORIA, Ill. – The Missouri Valley Conference opener for the Illinois State women's tennis team was close as expected, with the match coming down to the final singles match of the day to decide the winner. Fortunately for the Redbirds, Penelope Abreu was able to pull out a three-set win to give the 'Birds the victory over the Bradley Braves Saturday afternoon at The Clubs at River City.
"This was a tough one from start to finish," ISU head coach Maja Kovacek said. "Across the board, every match was close, and I couldn't be happier with our effort in singles. There was a different energy out there today and you could feel that conference play atmosphere where the stakes are high. We knew it would most likely come down to Elena and Penelope and they were prepared for that and played very well under pressure."
ISU got off to a good start in doubles play, as the No. 2 tandem of Laura Fitzgerald and Abreu defeated Maria Bezmenova and Nina Marjanovic, 6-2, for the early advantage. However, the Braves battled back with wins at the No. 1 and No. 3 spots to take the doubles point and the early lead in the match.
Laura Arciniegas wasted little time in tying up the match, as she improved to 13-1 on the season and 4-0 at the No. 4 spot with her 6-4, 6-0 victory over Bradley's Maria Bezmenova. A 6-3, 6-4 win by Tijana Zlatanovic over Sandra Maletin at the No. 1 spot then gave the Redbirds the lead at 2-1. Bradley re-took the lead at 3-2 with wins at the No. 3 and No. 2 spots, respectively, before Elena Jankulovska picked up a 6-4, 7-6 win over Nikki Perlwitz at the No. 6 spot to knot things up at 3-3.Â
That left it all in the hands of Abreu at the No. 5 spot, as she took on Natalia Barbery to decide the match. Abreu took the first set 6-1, but Barbery took the second set 6-3 to send it to a third and deciding stanza. Abreu took control and eased her way to a 6-2 win in the final set for match win and a team victory for the Redbirds.
Illinois State (13-7) returns to action next Sunday, April 4, in Springfield, Missouri, for a MVC contest at Missouri State. First serve is set for 10 a.m.
ILLINOIS STATE 4, BRADLEY 3Â
Singles competition:
1. Tijana Zlatanovic (ILS) def. Sandra Maletin (BRAD) 6-3, 6-4
2. Bozana Lojpur (BRAD) def. Tara Damnjanovic (ILS) 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-4
3. V Sanchez Bronzetti (BRAD) def. Natalia Bravo (ILS) 6-4, 1-6, 6-4
4. Laura Arciniegas (ILS) def. Maria Bezmenova (BRAD) 6-4, 6-0
5. Penelope Abreu (ILS) def. Natalia Barbery (BRAD) 6-1, 3-6, 6-2
6. Elena Jankulovska (ILS) def. Nikki Perlwitz (BRAD) 6-4, 7-6
Doubles competition:
1. Sandra Maletin/V Sanchez Bronzetti (BRAD) def. Tara Damnjanovic/Tijana Zlatanovic (ILS) 6-4
2. Laura Fitzgerald/Penelope Abreu (ILS) def. Maria Bezmenova/Nina Marjanovic (BRAD) 6-2
3. Bozana Lojpur/Nikki Perlwitz (BRAD) def. Jelena Karla Vukicic/Alicja Zduniak (ILS) 6-4
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