Redbirds edge women's tennis, 5-2

April 20, 2008

By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com

NORMAL, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University women's tennis team fell to Illinois State today, 5-2.

The Salukis (11-11, 4-4) played tough doubles matches, but were unable to grab the victory over the Redbirds (12-9, 6-2). While the Salukis did not capture the doubles point, Martina Vianna Ce and Michela Cruise played the tough duo of Julia Zubkova and Carolyne Parent, completing an 8-0 sweep at No. 2 doubles. Jessica Flannery and Sabine Tsala Mvilongo were unable to hold off Katri Miller and Veroni Parke-Bedard at No. 1 doubles, falling 8-4. Amanda Taillefer and Andrea Courtney teamed up at No. 3 doubles, but fell 8-5 to Tanja Hrovatic and Katie O'Riley.

In singles action, Mvilongo defeated Miller in a battle for the win at No. 1 singles, in three tiebreaker sets. Ce fell to Zubkova at No. 2 singles, while Cruise battled at No. 3 singles, falling the tiebreaker 7-6(7-5), 4-6, 10-8. Flannery grabbed the win at No. 4 singles against Parent, but Taillefer was unable to hold off Hrovatic at No. 5 singles, falling 6-4, 6-1. Courtney fought hard at No. 6 singles, but dropped the match to O'Riley, 7-5, 6-1.

"It was disappointing not getting the win," said head coach Audra Notwehr. "But we are the No. 5 seed, which is a improvement from last year. We're a little injured right now, so a few days off will be good for us. We can heal up this week, then we'll be ready."

The Salukis will be the No. 5 seed in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, taking on Northern Iowa in the first round.

Illinois State 5, Southern Illinois 2

Singles
No. 1 - Sabine Tsala Mvilongo (SIU) def. Katri Miller (ILS) 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-5), 11-9
No. 2 -Julia Zubkova (ILS) def. Martina Vianna Ce (SIU) 6-3, 6-2
No. 3 - Veroni Parke-Bedard (ILS) def. Michela Cruise (SIU) 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 10-8
No. 4 - Jessica Flannery (SIU) def. Carolyne Parent (ILS) 3-6, 6-2, 10-4
No. 5 - Tanja Hrovatic (ILS) def. Amanda Taillefer (SIU) 6-4, 6-1
No. 6 - Katie O'Riley (ILS) def. Andrea Courtney (SIU) 7-5, 6-1

Doubles
No. 1 - Miller/Parke-Bedard (ILS) def. Flannery/Mvilongo (SIU) 8-4
No. 2 - Ce/Cruise (SIU) def. Zubkova/Parent (ILS) 8-0
No. 3 - Hrovatic/O'Riley (ILS) def. Taillefer/Courtney (SIU) 8-5

Illinois State 12-9, 6-2 MVC
Southern Illinois 11-11, 4-4 MVC