Redbirds Clinch At Least A Share Of MVC Title With Win At Valparaiso

VALPARAISO, Ind. – The Illinois State women's tennis team wrapped up its final weekend road trip of the regular season on Saturday, as it looked to stay undefeated in Missouri Valley Conference play against Valparaiso. The Redbirds (14-6, 7-0 MVC) took the early advantage and never looked back and defeated the Beacons by a score of 5-2 outdoors at the Valpo Tennis Complex to secure at least a share of the MVC regular-season title.

It was a clean sweep for the Redbirds in doubles, as the No. 2 duo of Alexandra Abyasova and Silvia Pomarolli were first to secure a win with a 6-1 victory. The No. 3 tandem of Nevena Kolarevic and Elena Jankulovska then clinched the first point of the match with a 6-3 victory and the No. 1 team of Tijana Zlatanovic and Tara Damnjanovic followed shortly after with a 6-3 win.

The Redbirds then picked up the first point in singles by way of a default at the No. 1 spot, with Zlatanovic being the benefactor. Her doubles partner Damnjanovic then made it 3-0 in favor of the Redbirds, with a 6-0, 6-0 sweep at the No. 4 spot over Valpo's Amanda Tabanera. Kolarevic then clinched the match for the Redbirds at the No. 3 spot with a 6-2, 6-2 win and Abyasova also picked up a victory to move to 7-0 in MVC singles play with a 7-5, 6-3 win. The Beacons boasted victories at the No. 5 and No. 6 singles spots to bring the score to its final at 5-2.

The Redbirds will wrap up the regular season at home, when they host Belmont next Saturday, April 15, at 2:30 p.m.

FINAL SCORE: Illinois State (5), Valparaiso (2)

Doubles: 
No. 1 Tijana Zlatanovic/Tara Damnjanovic (ILS) def. Olivia Czerwonka/Moira Silva (VALPO) 6-3
No. 2 Alexandra Abyasova/Silvia Pomarolli (ILS) def. Amanda Tabanera/Elizabeth Sobieski (VALPO) 6-1
No. 3 Nevena Kolarevic/Elena Jankulovska (ILS) def. Demi Jhaveri/Eleanor Chapman (VALPO) 6-3

Singles:
No. 1 Tijana Zlatanovic (ILS) def. Olivia Czerwonka (VALPO), by default
No. 2 Alexandra Abyasova (ILS) def. Moira Silva (VALPO) 7-5, 6-3
No. 3 Nevena Kolarevic (ILS) def. Demi Jhaveri (VALPO) 6-2, 6-2
No. 4 Tara Damnjanovic (ILS) def. Amanda Tabanera (VALPO) 6-0, 6-0
No. 5 Mia Bertino (VALPO) def. Elena Jankulovska (ILS) 6-4, 3-2, retired
No. 6 Eleanor Chapman (VALPO) def. Silvia Pomarolli (ILS) 6-4, 7-6 (7-2)

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