Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Illinois St
Women's Tennis Loses Final Match Of Regular Season To Redbirds
04/19/2003 | 12:00:00 | Women's Tennis
April 19, 2003
Carbondale, Ill. - The women's tennis team knew Illinois State would be a tough foe in its final match of the spring season. ISU pulled out the 5-2 victory to remain undefeated in conference play, while dropping the Salukis to a 5-4 MVC record.
With fears of rain, SIU would begin singles action one hour early, only to lose 5 of 6 matches in just more than seventy minutes of play. Junior Tana Trapani was the lone winner, defeating Shelby Lipson, 6-2, 6-2, at the No. 6 spot.
The rain passed by allowing the teams to begin doubles play ... only to be stopped abruptly, but not because of weather. After the Redbirds won at No. 1 doubles, ISU's head coach, Chris Hoover, would become unhappy and frustrated with one or more of his team's players, ultimately pulling both the Nos. 2 and 3 teams from the court. The Salukis would therefore win the doubles point by default.
"We would liked to have finished the doubles matches," said SIU head coach Judy Auld. "But that's how it ended. Not a good thing for either team."
Auld says the women's tennis team is pleased with its season outcome and hopes to do well in the upcoming MVC tournament.
"Our goal is still to finish in the top four, but I can't how the (final) weekend will end," said Auld. "The team feels pretty positive about how we did this season. They've all improved their games, and have a desire and determination that you can see in their eyes."
SIU finishes the spring season with a 8-14 overall record, 5-4 MVC, and will head to Springfield, Missouri for the Missouri Valley Conference tournament on April 25-27. Results can be found at www.smsbears.net or www.siusalukis.com.
SIU vs. Illinois State
Loss 5-2
Singles:
No. 1 - Liina Suurvarik (ISU) def. Alejandra Blanco (SIU) 6-1, 6-1
No. 2 - Alesia Mikalayeva (ISU) def. Maria Blanco (SIU) 6-2, 6-1
No. 3 - Laura Gravino (ISU) def. Jessica Knitter (SIU) 6-0, 6-1
No. 4 - Elizabeth Bingier (ISU) def. Zuzana Palovic (SIU) 6-1, 6-0
No. 5 - Emilie Sechaud (ISU) def. Zoya Honarmand (SIU) 6-2, 6-2
No. 6 - Tana Trapani (SIU) def. Shelby Lipson (ISU) 6-2, 6-2
Doubles:
No. 1 - Suurvarik/Mikalayeva (ISU) def. Blanco/Blanco (SIU) 8-2
No. 2 - Palovic/Honarmand (SIU) def. Hoffman/Gravino (ISU) 3-6, 30-Love, default**
No. 3 - Knitter/Trapani (SIU) def. Maxwell/Lipson (ISU) 5-2, default**
**ISU quit these matches after ISU head coach pulled ISU teams from the court after becoming frustrated with one or more of his players.
