Kolarevic, Sanz Win Titles At MVC Individual Championships

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – It was a good Sunday for a pair of Redbird women's tennis standouts, as Nevena Kolarevic and Nuria Sanz each took home titles in their respective singles flights at the 2023 MVC Individual Championship hosted by Missouri State at the Cooper Tennis Complex.

"I think the results this weekend are encouraging," ISU head coach Maja Kovacek said. "I'm really proud of Nevena and Nuria, as they were pushed and came through with big wins. We know what we need to work on as a team to have success in MVC play in March. It's hard not to be excited about this group of players, because they're showing a lot of passion and commitment and are ready to put in the work."

Kolarevic won an individual title for the second-straight year, after rolling through Flight 3 for the crown last year. Competing in Flight 2 this year, Kolarevic battled Mille Haagensen of Drake and came out on top by a score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to win the championship. Sanz, a newcomer from North Carolina A&T, showed well in her first MVC Championship as she rolled to a 6-3, 6-4 straight-set win over Drake's Darinka Stepan for the Flight 5 title. Tijana Zlatanovic was also a winner on the day for the Redbirds, as she defeated Missouri State's Cristina Flaquer Fueste by a score of 6-3, 6-2 to take third place in Flight 1.

The Redbirds are back in action next weekend, when they travel to East Lansing, Michigan, to compete in the ITA Midwest Regional hosted by Michigan State. Action begins on Thursday, October 12, and runs through Monday, October 16.

RESULTS:

Flight 1 Singles:
Tijana Zlatanovic (ILS) def. Cristina Flaquer Fueste (MOST) 6-3, 6-2 (3rd Place Match)

Flight 2 Singles:
Nevena Kolarevic (ILS) def. Mille Haagensen (DU) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 (Championship Match)

Flight 3 Singles:
Sarah Bureau (MUR) def. Lana Caculovic (ILS) 6-3, 6-2 (Championship Match)

Flight 4 Singles: 
Oriana Parkins-Godwin (DU) def. Silvia Pomarolli (ILS) 7-6 (11-9), 0-6, 10-7 (5th Place Match)

Flight 5 Singles:
Nuria Sanz (ILS) def. Darinka Stepan (DU) 6-3, 6-4 (Championship Match)

Flight 2 Doubles:
Haagensen/Stepan (DU) def. Kolarevic/Pomarolli (ILS) 8-7 (8-6) (Championship Match)

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