Redbirds Win Sixth Straight, Wrap Up Regular Season With 5-2 Win Over Missouri State

NORMAL, Ill. – The 2024 regular season came to a close for the Illinois State women's tennis team on Sunday, as the Redbirds (16-6, 7-1 MVC) picked up a 5-2 victory over Missouri State and gave seniors Tijana Zlatanovic and Othilia Brodin a memorable moment on Senior Day at the Gregory Street Courts.

"I'm really happy with how we handled ourselves today," ISU head coach Maja Kovacek said. "Missouri State made us play a lot and earn every point. Everyone was very motivated to give Tijana and Othilia the best sendoff. It's always an emotional day on Senior Day and I'm happy we finished the regular season on a great note."

The Redbirds wasted little time jumping out to a quick lead, as they swept all three doubles matches to secure the first point of the afternoon. The No. 1 tandem of Lana Caculovic and Tijana Zlatanovic defeated Cristina Flaquer and Nicole Ross by a final of 6-2 and the No. 2 duo of Nevena Kolarevic and Silvia Pomarolli also earned a 6-2 victory over Missouri State's Tuana Gunal and Juliette Robinson. For good measure, the No. 3 team of Zoe Limparis and Nuria Sanz picked up a 6-3 win over Mary Houston and Sandra Lukacova to complete the sweep for the Redbirds as the action moved to the singles matches.

Caculovic was quick to make it 2-0 in favor of the Redbirds, as she cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Houston at the No. 2 spot. Her win was followed by a quick 6-0, 6-2 win by Kolarevic at the No. 3 spot against Gunal to make it 3-0. Missouri State would then pick up a win at the No. 5 spot to trim the lead to 3-1, but Pomarolli clinched the match at the No. 4 spot with a 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Robinson to make the score 4-1. 

The Bears would get their second point of the match at the No. 6 spot, however Zlatanovic would close out the day at the No. 1 spot with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 victory over Flaquer to bring the score to its final of 5-2. With the win, the Redbirds improved to 7-1 in league play improved to 16-6 overall on the spring.

Illinois State has earned the No. 2 seed for the MVC Championship, which begins on Friday, April 26, with quarterfinal matches from the Belmont Tennis Complex in Nashville, Tenn. The Redbirds will have a bye on Friday and will play the winner of the UIC/Missouri State match on Saturday at 5 p.m. CT in the second semifinal match.

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

Doubles: 
No. 1 Lana Caculovic/Tijana Zlatanovic (ILS) def. Cristina Flaquer/Nicole Ross (MOST) 6-2
No. 2 Nevena Kolarevic/Silvia Pomarolli (ILS) def. Tuana Gunal/Juliette Robinson (MOST) 6-2
No. 3 Zoe Limparis/Nuria Sanz (ILS) def. Mary Houston/Sandra Lukacova (MOST) 6-3

Singles:
No. 1 Tijana Zlatanovic (ILS) def. Cristina Flaquer (MOST) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
No. 2 Lana Caculovic (ILS) def. Mary Houston (MOST) 6-1, 6-0
No. 3 Nevena Kolarevic (ILS) def. Tuana Gunal (MOST) 6-0, 6-2
No. 4 Silvia Pomarolli (ILS) def. Juliette Robinson (MOST) 6-4, 6-3
No. 5 Nicole Ross (MOST) def. Nuria Sanz (ILS) 7-5, 6-3
No. 6 Sandra Lukacova (MOST) def. Sofia Rodrigo (ILS) 6-4, 5-7, 10-2

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