Redbirds Roll To Win In Omaha, 6-1

OMAHA, Neb. – It was a good start to the weekend in Omaha for Illinois State, as the Redbirds rolled to a 6-1 win over Omaha Saturday afternoon at the Miracle Hill Tennis Center.

"I thought we played great singles today," ISU head coach Maja Kovacek said. "We got five quick first sets and handled it well when Omaha made a few runs in second sets. It's a quick turnaround for us for tomorrow morning's match and we will have to be a little sharper in doubles."

The Redbirds got off to a great start in doubles play, winning at No. 2 and No. 3 to secure the early point. The duo of Penelope Abreu and Maria Potsi took care of business at No. 2 with a 6-4 win over Omaha's Alexia Di Giulio and Colby Kelley. Laura Fitzgerald and Alexandra Abyasova also picked up a victory at No. 3, thanks to a 6-4 defeat of UNO's Natalie Lorentz and Keegan VanPelt, to give ISU the early advantage.

ISU rolled in singles action, winning five of six matches to come away with the 6-1 win. Tijana Zlatanovic cruised in straight sets at No. 1 and Abyasova had to battle back to win a third-set tiebreaker to come away with a win at No. 2. Potsi wasted little time in a 6-1, 6-1 defeat at No. 3 and Tara Damnjanovic was strong at No. 4 with a 6-2, 6-1 win. Abreu rounded things out with a 6-1, 7-5 victory at No. 6.

ISU will wrap up its weekend in Omaha on Sunday with a match against former MVC foe Creighton. First serve is set for 9 a.m. at Hanscom Tennis Courts.

Final Results: Illinois State (6), Omaha (1)

Singles competition
1. Tijana Zlatanovic (ISU) def. Madison Gallegos (UNO) 6-1, 6-4
2. Alexandra Abyasova (ISU) def. Ines Absisan (UNO) 6-2, 3-6, 10-4
3. Maria Potsi (ISU) def. Rachel Osborn (UNO) 6-1, 6-1
4. Tara Damnjanovic (ISU) def. Alexia Di Giulio (UNO) 6-2, 6-1
5. Natalie Lorentz (UNO) def. Elena Jankulovska (ISU) 7-6 (2), 6-3
6. Penelope Abreu (ISU) def. Colby Kelley (UNO) 6-1, 7-5

Doubles competition
1. Madison Gallegos/Ines Absisan (UNO) vs. Tara Damnjanovic/Tijana Zlatanovic (ISU) 6-5 DNF
2. Penelope Abreu/Maria Potsi (ISU) def. Alexia Di Giulio/Colby Kelley (UNO) 6-4
3. Laura Fitzgerald/Alexandra Abyasova (ISU) def. Natalie Lorentz/Keegan VanPelt (UNO) 6-4

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