Illinois State Begins Weekend With 4-2 Win Over Valparaiso

NORMAL, Ill. – Back at home for the first time since the beginning of the month and playing outside for the first time this spring at home, the Illinois State women's tennis team started the weekend off strong with a 4-2 conference victory over Valparaiso on Friday afternoon at the Gregory Street Courts.

The Redbirds got off to a great start in doubles play, securing the all-important first point of the match. The No. 3 duo of Zoe Limparis and Sofia Rodrigo defeated Mia Bertino and Lillian Kelly by a final of 6-4 to give ISU the advantage. Shortly after, the No. 1 tandem of Lana Caculovic and Tijana Zlatanovic (ILS) battled back for a 7-5 win over Olivia Czerwonka and Moira Silva to clinch the first point o the match for the Redbirds.

Zlatanovic would keep her momentum going into singles play, as she would pick up a 6-1, 7-5 win over Silva at the No. 1 spot. Nevena Kolarevic would also secure a victory for the Redbirds, as she bested Bertino in short order 6-3, 6-2 on court No. 3. ISU would get its final point of the day from Silvia Pomarolli, who cruised to a 6-4, 6-2 win at the No. 4 spot to help the Redbirds improve to 2-1 in Missouri Valley Conference play.

The Redbirds return to the courts tomorrow at 3 p.m. for their second match of the weekend, this one against the UIC Flames at the Gregory Street Courts.

FINAL SCORE: Illinois State (4), Valparaiso (2)

Doubles: 
No. 1 Lana Caculovic/Tijana Zlatanovic (ILS) def. Olivia Czerwonka/Moira Silva (VALPO) 7-5
No. 2 Nevena Kolarevic/Silvia Pomarolli (ILS) vs. Elizabeth Sobieski/Sydney Stone (VALPO) 4-5 unfinished
No. 3 Zoe Limparis/Sofia Rodrigo (ILS) def. Mia Bertino/Lillian Kelly (VALPO) 6-4

Singles:
No. 1 Tijana Zlatanovic (ILS) def. Moira Silva (VALPO) 6-1, 7-5
No. 2 Olivia Czerwonka (VALPO) def. Lana Caculovic (ILS) 6-3, 6-2
No. 3 Nevena Kolarevic (ILS) def. Mia Bertino (VALPO) 6-3, 6-2
No. 4 Silvia Pomarolli (ILS) def. Sydney Stone (VALPO) 6-4, 6-2
No. 5 Nuria Sanz (ILS) vs. Elizabeth Sobieski (VALPO) 4-6, 6-0, 4-0 unfinished
No. 6 Lillian Kelly (VALPO) def. Sofia Rodrigo (ILS) 6-2, 6-2

GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App:  Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.