NORMAL, Ill.-- The Illinois State women's tennis team opened up the season winning five singles matches and sweeping doubles play.
In singles play, Lana Caculovic defeated Lomenzo of Eastern Illinois in straight sets (6-1, 6-3) at No. 1. Meanwhile, MVC All-Conference returnee Silvia Pomarolli secured a come from behind win over Marquette's Abbott (6-4, 2-6, 10-7)
As play shifted to doubles, the Redbirds were 4-0 after wins from Caculovic and Emma Lindh over St Thomas's Lindahl/Forsberg (8-6). At No. 2 Pomarolli and Nicole Iosio against Valpo's Stone/ Tanner (8-4).
ISU rounded out play with victories as Nuria Sanz and Elena Jankulovska bested EIU's Renovales/Niculescu (8-0). At the No 4. Doubles spot Zoe Limparis and Newcomer Sophia Marie Lowe knocked off the UW-Milwaukee's Yamashita/Cavestro by a 8-5 mark.
The Redbirds will open day two of the Redbird Invitational Saturday at 9 am.
SINGLES
No 1. Caculovic (ISU) def. Lomenzo (EIU) 6-1, 6-3
No 2. Pomarolli (ISU) def. Abbott (MU) 6-4, 2-6, 10-7
No 3. Lindh (ISU) def. Kostadinova (EIU) 6-3, 7-6 (3)
No 4. Olson (UST) def. Iosio (ISU) 6-2, 4-6, 10-5
No 5. Steven (VALPO) def. Sanz (ISU) 6-4, 3-6, 10-4
No 6. Jankulovska (ISU) def. Talavera (UST) 6-2, 6-2
No 7. Lowe (ISU) def. Cavestro (UWM) 6-0, 6-3
DOUBLES
No 1. Caculovic/Lindh (ISU) def. Lindahl/Forsberg (UST) 8-6
No 2. Pomarolli/Iosio (ISU) def. Stone/ Tanner (VALPO) 8-4
No 3. Sanz/Jankulovska (ISU) def. Renovales/Niculescu (EIU) 8-0
No 4. Limparis/Lowe (ISU) def. Yamashita/Cavestro (UWM) 8-5
For all the latest on Illinois State women's tennis, stay tuned to GoRedbirds.com and follow the team on "X" (RedbirdWTEN), Facebook (Illinois State Women's Tennis Team) and Instagram (redbirdwtennis).
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