NORMAL, Ill.-- Illinois State women's tennis (11-6, 4-1 MVC) will travel for a battle with the Valparaiso Beacons (3-13, 0-3 MVC) on Saturday, April 12 in Valparaiso. First serve will be at 1:00 p.m. The Birds will have a quick turnaround as they face a road test against the UIC Flames (12-4, 4-1 MVC) on Sunday April 13 in Chicago at 2:00 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
The Redbirds secured a narrow 4-3 victory against the Missouri State Bears (3-15, 2-2 MVC) on Sunday inside Cooper Tennis Complex. The Birds are now 4-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference.
In doubles play, Illinois State picked up the doubles point with wins at No. 2 and No. 3. Freshman Emma Lindh (Malmo, Sweden) and graduate student Elena Jankulovska (Skopje, Macedonia) defeated Sandra Lukacova and Raluca Puscas of the Bears by a score of 6-3. Freshman Nicole Iosio (Cordenons, Italy) and junior Zoe Limparis (Hinsdale, Ill.) bested MSU's Lola Federski and Romy Pola by a final score of 6-3.
As play shifted to singles competition, the Redbirds recorded three singles victories. Junior Lana Caculovic (Dugo Selo, Croatia) cruised past Billur Gonlusen in straight sets by scores of 6-2, 6-3. At No. 5, Iosio battled past MSU's Romy Pols 6-2, 6-3. At No 6, freshman Sophie Marie Lowe (Wimbledon, Great Britain) blanked Lola Federski of the Bears 6-0, 6-0.
SCOUTING THE BEACONS
Valparaiso dropped a 5-2 decision to UNI on Sunday, April 6, securing two singles wins. Moria Silva defeated Darta Dalecka of the Panthers by a score of 6-1, 6-7, (5-7), 1-0 (10-3). At No. 5, Lillian Kelly battled to a 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) victory over UNI's Abbie Peterson.
ALL-TIME MEETINGS VS VALPO
ISU holds a 7-0 record over the Beacons. The two schools last met on on March 29, 2024 where ISU prevailed 4-2 inside Evergreen Racquet Club in Bloomington, Ill. The first ever match between the Redbirds and the Beacons took place on April 21, 2018. Illinois State blanked Valparaiso, 7-0 in Normal, Illinois at the Gregory Street Tennis Courts on the campus of Illinois State University.
SCOUTING THE FLAMES
UIC most recently blanked the Drake Bulldogs, 7-0, on Sunday, April 6 inside the Roger Knapp Center. In doubles play, the No. 1 pair of Edit Cosmo and Camille Belberka defeated DU's Tess Caldicott and Elizabete Klavinska by a narrow 7-5 margin. In singles play, Mayu Ushio bested Jessica Popiol of the Bulldogs, 6-3, 6-4.
ALL-TIME MEETINGS VS UIC
UIC holds a 12-7 edge over the Redbirds. A season ago, ISU prevailed at home by a 4-3 final in Nashville, Tenn., The first match up between the two schools took place on March 14, 2003 where the Redbirds defeated UIC 4-3 in Normal, Ill.
UP NEXT-
The Birds will return home to Evergreen Racquet Club to conclude the regular season as they play host to the Belmont Bruins (4-12, 3-1 MVC) on Friday, April 18. First serve is slated for 1:00 p.m.
FOLLOW THE REDBIRDS-
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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