Redbirds Pick Up Win In California Against UC Irvine

IRVINE, Calif. – The fun in the sun continued for Illinois State on Friday, as the Redbirds wrapped up their spring break trip with a morning match against UC Irvine. ISU took control early and ended its trip on a high note, coming away with a 4-2 win over the Anteaters.

ISU took the early doubles point, thanks to wins at No. 1 and No. 3. The court one duo of Tijana Zlatanovic and Tara Damnjanovic cruised to a 6-2 win over Irvine's Jessica Tsukiji and Alyssia Fossorier. The Anteaters picked up a win at No. 2, leaving it the dynamic duo of Laura Fitzgerald and Alexandra Abyasova to pick up a 6-2 win on court three to secure the doubles point.

In singles action, Elena Jankulovska picked up a quick 6-0, 6-2 straight set win at No. 6 to give the Redbirds another point and Maria Potsi also earned a straight-set victory at No. 3 to give ISU its third point of the match. The Anteaters picked up wins at No. 1 and No. 5 to make things interesting, but Abyasova clinched the victory for the Redbirds on court two with a three-set 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 win over Jessica Tsukiji.

ISU will have a much-deserved break until March 27, when it opens Missouri Valley Conference play against in-state foe Bradley at the Evergreen Racquet Club in Bloomington.

Final Results: Illinois State (4), UC Irvine (2)

Singles competition
1. Ysabel Gonzalez-Rico (UCI) def. Tijana Zlatanovic (ISU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
2. Alexandra Abyasova (ISU) def. Jessica Tsukiji (UCI) 6-2, 5-7, 6-3
3. Maria Potsi (ISU) def. Alyssia Fossorier (UCI) 7-6 (6), 6-3
4. Tara Damnjanovic (ISU) vs. Emily Fowler (UCI) 2-6, 7-6 (5), 3-4 unfinished
5. Dasee Carter (UCI) def. Penelope Abreu (ISU) 6-1, 6-4
6. Elena Jankulovska (ISU) def. Shreya Pavani (UCI) 6-0, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Tara Damnjanovic/Tijana Zlatanovic (ISU) def. Jessica Tsukiji/Alyssia Fossorier (UCI) 6-2
2. Ysabel Gonzalez-Rico/Jenna Schlatter (UCI) def. Maria Potsi/Penelope Abreu (ISU) 6-3
3. Laura Fitzgerald/Alexandra Abyasova (ISU) def. Dasee Carter/Emily Fowler (UCI) 6-2

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