BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – In their first conference home match of the spring, Illinois State (9-6) picked up a 5-2 win over Drake (8-7) Saturday afternoon at the Evergreen Racquet Club to remain perfect in MVC play and win their fifth straight home match this spring.
"Energy was great from the beginning and the focus was on par with how the past matches have gone against Drake," ISU head coach Maja Kovacek said. "We knew we would need that confidence and focus from the beginning to perform in every spot possible."
The Redbirds scored the first point of the day after securing two wins in the doubles competition. The No. 3 duo of Elena Jankulovska and Nevena Kolarevic got the 'Birds on the board first with a 6-2 win, as the next match to finish came at no. 1. The visiting Bulldogs would pull even in doubles as Mille Haagensen and Darinka Stepan knocked off Tara Damnjanovic and Tijana Zlatanovic by a final of 6-3.
However, as it came down to no. 2, it was ISU's tandem of Alexandra Abyasova and Silivia Pomarolli who clinched the early advantage off a 6-4 win as the action shifted to singles.
"Getting the doubles point was huge for us especially as we headed to singles," Kovacek said. "We came out swinging in singles and kept the momentum for picking up the doubles point which was huge in order for us to win."
Then in singles, Kolarevic kept it rolling as she was almost unstoppable, picing up a 6-0, 6-3 victory as she pushed ISU's lead to 2-0. Then, it was Ines Stephani of Drake giving Drake their first point with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Zlatanovic at no. 1. The momentum was regained for ISU by Abyasova at no. 2, as the senior came out strong to collect a 6-2, 6-1 win and make it 3-1 Redbirds.
The match clinching victory came by way of Jankulovska at no. 6, who would pick up a 6-1, 6-2 win and officially make it 4-1 for ISU with only two matches left. The final Redbird win came by Damnjanovic at no. 4, who would pick up a gritty 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 victory which made the margin 5-1.
Unfortunately, Pomarolli would not be able to keep the momentum as she fell in the day's lone three-setter, a 7-5, 4-6, 2-6 loss to Drake's Parkins-Godwin at no. 5.
The Redbirds continue their homestand and Missouri Valley Conference play on Sunday when Northern Iowa comes to the Evergreen Racquet Club for an 11:30 a.m. first serve.
Final Results: Illinois State (5), Drake (2)
Singles competition
1. Ines Stephani (DRA) def. Tijana Zlatanovic (ILS) 6-1, 7-5
2. Alexandra Abyasova (ILS) def. Mille Haagensen (DRA) 6-2, 6-1
3. Nevena Kolarevic (ILS) def. Darinka Stepan (DRA) 6-0, 6-3
4. Tara Damnjanovic (ILS) def. Elizabete Klavinska (DRA) 7-6 (7-5), 6-2
5. Oriana Parkins-Godwin (DRA) def. Silvia Pomarolli (ILS) 5-7, 6-4, 6-2
6. Elena Jankulovska (ILS) def. Jyun-Yi Lee (DRA) 6-1, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Mille Haagensen/Darinka Stepan (DRA) def. Tijana Zlatanovic/Tara Damnjanovic (ILS) 6-3
2. Alexandra Abyasova/Silvia Pomarolli (ILS) def. Oriana Parkins-Godwin/Ines Stephani (DRA) 6-4
3. Elena Jankulovska/Nevena Kolarevic (ILS) def. Rebecca Ehn/Elizabete Klavinska (DRA) 6-2
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App:Â Â Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
