NORMAL, Ill. – The weather outside on the Gregory Street Courts changed a lot throughout Friday's match between Illinois State and Valparaiso, but the outcome was steady for the Redbirds who took the early lead and took down the Beacons 6-1 to finish the regular season 14-16 and 4-1 in MVC play.
ISU took the early lead following a clean sweep of the doubles matches. The No. 2 duo of Maria Potsi and Penelope Abreu rolled to a 6-1 win over Tabanera and Schoolcraft and then the No. 1 tandem of Tijana Zlatanovic and Tara Damnjanovic defeated the Czerwonka sisters 6-3. For good measure, the No. 3 team of Laura Fitzgerald and Alexandra Abyasova cruised to a 6-2 win to secure the sweep and give the Redbirds the early lead.
Elena Jankulovska wasted little time once singles play start and secured a 6-2, 6-1 win at the No. 6 spot to give ISU its first singles point of the match. Potsi quickly followed with a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 3 and a 6-2, 6-4 win by Damnjanovic at No. 4 gave the Redbirds their fourth point of the match to secure the win. A straight-set victory by Abreu at No. 5 and a three-set win by Abyasova at No. 2 gave the Redbirds their final two points of the match against Valpo.
The Redbirds will head to the Missouri Valley Conference Championship beginning on April 22 in Des Moines, Iowa. The bracket will be set on Monday, April 18, by the league office once the newest ITA rankings are released.
Final Results: Illinois State (6), Valparaiso (1)
Singles competition
1. Olivia Czerwonka (VALPO) def. Tijana Zlatanovic (ILS) 6-4, 6-4
2. Alexandra Abyasova (ILS) def. Claire Czerwonka (VALPO) 6-4, 5-7, 10-6
3. Maria Potsi (ILS) def. Amanda Tabanera (VALPO) 6-2, 6-2
4. Tara Damnjanovic (ILS) def. Demi Jhaveri (VALPO) 6-2, 6-4
5. Penelope Abreu (ILS) def. Mia Bertino (VALPO) 6-3, 6-1
6. Elena Jankulovska (ILS) def. I. Schoolcraft (VALPO) 6-2, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Tijana Zlatanovic/Tara Damnjanovic (ILS) def. Claire Czerwonka/Olivia Czerwonka (VALPO) 6-3
2. Maria Potsi/Penelope Abreu (ILS) def. Amanda Tabanera /I. Schoolcraft (VALPO) 6-1
3. Laura Fitzgerald/Alexandra Abyasova (ILS) def. Demi Jhaveri /Allison McConnell (VALPO) 6-2
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