Redbirds End Regular Season Play with Victory :: The 'Birds top the Salukis, 5-2

April 20, 2008

NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State women's tennis team closed out its regular season play with a 5-2 win against Southern Illinois on the new Gregory Street Tennis Courts Sunday, April 20. The win propels the Redbirds to a 12-9 overall record and 6-2 in the conference, while Southern Illinois is 11-11 on the season and 4-4 in the Valley.

"It was nice to end the regular season with the win and to be a contender for third in the conference," said head coach Chris Hoover. "It was a beautiful day to play and we are proud to get our last home match win on the new courts."

In singles action, the `Birds were able to capture four of the six points. At the No. 2 spot sophomore Julia Zubkova earned her fifth consecutive win and 25th overall win as she bested Martina Vianna Ce in straight sets of 6-3, 6-2. Senior Véronique Parke-Bédard topped Michela Cruise, 7-6(5), 4-6, 10-8, in the No. 3 position. Parke-Bedard has won the last nine of her ten matches. In flight No. 4, junior Tanja Hrovatic beat Amanda Taillefer, 6-4, 6-1 while freshman Katie O'Riley earned the last singles point at the No. 6 spot by defeating Andrea Courtney, 7-5, 6-1.

"I'm proud of the team, especially Véronique," said Hoover. "She really held off against Cruise. Hopefully her success throughout the season will earn her the All-Conference title."

The Redbirds only losses of the day came from two tie-breaking matches. At the No. 1 spot senior Katri Miller fell to Sabine Tsala Mvilongo, 6-7(4), 7-6(5), 11-9, while senior Carolyne Parent was defeated by Jessica Flannery, 3-6, 6-2, 10-4, in the No. 4 position.

In the doubles competition, the `Birds secured the point. Senior duo of Parke-Bedard and Miller topped Flannery and Tsala Mvilongo, 8-4, at the No. 1 spot, while Hrovatic and O'Riley beat Taillefer and Courtney, 8-5, in flight No. 3. In the No. 2 position, Zubkova and Parent fell to Vianna Ce and Cruise, 8-0.

The women's tennis team will return to the courts Friday, April 25 as they compete in the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championships, in Omaha, Neb.