Redbirds Drop Conference Contest At Murray State, 4-3

MURRAY, Ky. – The opening weekend of Missouri Valley Conference tennis is in the books, as the Redbirds split a pair of matches to open conference play. After a win at Belmont on Saturday, the Redbirds dropped a close contest to Murray State on Sunday by a final of 4-3.

The Redbirds got the early advantage by winning the doubles point. The No. 2 duo of Nevena Kolarevic and Silvia Pomarolli defeated Murray State's Sarah Bureau and Annika Pschorr by a score of 6-1 to gain some early momentum. The Racers then took a win at the No. 3 spot to tie things up, leaving the decision on the first point of the match to court No. 1. That's where Lana Caculovic and Tijana Zlatanovic gutted out a 7-5 victory over Natalie Slezakova and Emma Honore to clinch the doubles point.

In singles action, the Redbirds picked up three-set victories by Nevena Kolarevic at the No. 3 spot and Silvia Pomarolli at the No. 4 spot to get to three points on the day. However, the Racers would get wins at the No. 1, No. 2, No. 5 and No. 6 spots to come away with the 4-3 victory over ISU.

The Redbirds are back in action this weekend at home in a pair of MVC contests, as they host Valparaiso on Friday and UIC on Saturday. Match time for both days is 3 p.m. at the Evergreen Racquet Club.

FINAL SCORE: Murray State (4), Illinois State (3)

Doubles: 
No. 1 Lana Caculovic/Tijana Zlatanovic (ISU) def. Natalie Slezakova/Emma Honore (MUR) 7-5
No. 2 Nevena Kolarevic/Silvia Pomarolli (ISU) def. Sarah Bureau/Annika Pschorr (MUR) 6-1
No. 3 Paola Campigotto/Marit Kreugel (MUR) def. Zoe Limparis/Sofia Rodrigo (ISU) 6-3

Singles:
No. 1 Valeria Chaikovskaia (MUR) def. Tijana Zlatanovic (ISU) 6-3, 6-4
No. 2 Sarah Bureau (MUR) def. Lana Caculovic (ISU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
No. 3 Nevena Kolarevic (ISU) def. Emma Honore (MUR) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1
No. 4 Silvia Pomarolli (ISU) def. Annika Pschorr (MUR) 7-5, 3-6, 6-2
No. 5 Marit Kreugel (MUR) def. Sofia Rodrigo (ISU) 6-4, 6-4
No. 6 Natalie Slezakova (MUR) def. Zoe Limparis (ISU) 6-1, 6-1

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