Murray State
Illinois State
Racers Defeat Redbirds in Conference Opener
3/25/2024 9:30:00 AM | Women's Tennis
The Racers begin conference play with a statement win over Illinois State
Murray State women's tennis opened Missouri Valley Conference play at home on Sunday against reigning MVC champions Illinois State. The Racers defeated the Redbirds in a close match up, 4-3.
The Racers started out the match dropping the doubles point. This was the first time this season that MSU has dropped the doubles point, but still won the match. Doubles pair Paola Campigotto and Marit Kreugel earned the Racers first win of the day, defeating Illinois State's Sofia Rodrigo/Zoe Limparis 6-3. With their win in doubles, Campigotto and Kreugel are now 10-2 for the Spring.
Heading into doubles play, the Racers won the match with the first four singles match completions. Graduate Natalie Slezakova and Kreugel earned the first singles wins in dominant straight sets. Kreugel is now 6-1 in singles this spring season. Freshman Valeria Chaikovskaia followed, defeating the 2021 MVC Player of the Year, Tijana Zlatanovic. With a final win by senior Sarah Bureau, the Racers had clinched the match.
"Illinois State is the back-to-back defending champions and we knew they always play aggressive and bring the heat so I am very pleased with the way we handled things today and were able to match them in all aspects of the game," Coach Jorge Caetano said. "It was a physical and mental battle and everyone played their part in this win. We know there is still a long road ahead of us but it was a great start to MVC play."
Murray State 4 x 3 Illinois State
Doubles
#1 Lana Caculovic/Tijana Zlatanovic (ISU) def. Emma Honore/Natalie Slezakova (MSU) 7-5
#2 Nevena Kolarevic/Silvia Pomarolli (ISU) def. Sarah Bureau/Annika Pschorr (ISU) 6-1
#3 Paola Campigotto/Marit Kreugel (MSU) def. Sofia Rodrigo/Zoe Limparis (ISU) 6-3
Order of finish: 2, 3, 1*
Singles
#1 Valeria Chaikovskaia (MSU) def. Tijana Zlatanovic (ISU) 6-3, 6-4
#2 Sarah Bureau (MSU) def. Lana Caculovic (ISU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
#3 Nevena Kolarevic (ISU) def. Emma Honore (MSU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1
#4 Silvia Pomarolli (ISU) def. Annika Pschorr (MSU) 7-5, 3-6, 6-2
#5 Marit Kreugel (MSU) def. Sofia Rodrigo (ISU) 6-4, 6-4
#6 Natalie Slezakova (MSU) def. Zoe Limparis (ISU) 6-1, 6-1
Order of finish: 6, 5, 1, 2*, 3, 4
The Racers will be back in action at home on Friday against Missouri State.
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
2,3,1
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
6,5,1,2,3,4
Players Mentioned
