Mijevic Wins as Redbirds Defeated by Indiana State :: Redbirds wrap up regular season Sunday, April 20 at Southern Illinois

April 19, 2008

NORMAL, Ill. - Freshman Filip Miljevic was the lone winner for the Illinois State men's tennis team on Saturday, April 19, as it was bested 6-1 versus Indiana State in Terre Haute, Ind. Miljevic's singles victory gave the Redbirds its first point since facing Bradley on March 30. The loss dropped Illinois State to 9-10 overall and 2-3 in the Missouri Valley, while Indiana State improved to 9-12 and 3-2 in the MVC.

In singles, Miljevic defeated Joshua Smith at the No. 4 position, 7-5, 6-4. The victory moved the freshman to 8-7 this year in singles competition. Junior Daniel Tobar played Mpiloenhle Migogo to a tie-breaking third set, but did not get the win, losing, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 1-0 (10-7). Sophomore Michael Hobson also came close to notching a victory for Illinois State but lost his pro-style set to Michael Wenham at the No. 6 position, 8-6.

Head coach Cris James hopes to see improvement from his team for the Sunday, April 20, match against Southern Illinois.

"If we want to win tomorrow or next week at conference we've got to play better and with a lot more heart," said James.

In doubles, the `Birds struggled, failing to win the doubles point for the fifth-consecutive match. Junior Nuno Jacinto and Tobar teamed up to face Migogo and Rishi Behl at the No. 1 doubles spot, but fell, 8-5. Senior Luka Marinkovic and Hobson were bested at the No. 2 position, 8-3.

The Redbirds will return to action against Southern Illinois Sunday, April 20, in Carbondale, Ill. First serve is set for 10:00 a.m.