It was a difficult week for Illinois State tennis. Faced with challenging matchups and abrupt cancellations on the road, neither the women’s nor men’s team secured a win.
Women’s tennis took on Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville on Friday, ultimately losing 4-2. The Redbirds clinched the doubles point and followed it up with a win from Lana Caculovic at No. 2 singles.
SIUE’s straight-sets victories at No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 changed the course of the match. The Cougars sealed the overall win after a competitive No. 1 singles clash. Amelia Gorman took down ISU’s Silvia Pomarolli 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 in a thrilling battle.
The Redbirds next traveled to California for a pair of outdoor matches. On Monday, the team faced Utah State University and lost 6-1. Elena Jankulovska earned ISU’s only point, mounting an improbable comeback in the No. 5 singles to defeat Ana Sabikova 0-6, 7-6(3), [10-8]. Nicole Iosio and Nuria Sanz had previously won their doubles set, but it was not enough to get a point on the board.
The second fixture of ISU’s West Coast trip, a Tuesday matchup with the University of California-Irvine, was canceled.
Men’s tennis traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, taking on Lipscomb University over the weekend. The hosts came out on top, 5-2, with four singles matches going to a third set. Adrian Dibildox and Christian Capacci triumphed in their bouts at No. 1 and No. 3, respectively. Each of Illinois State’s single players was playing up one position, with the usual starter, Tomas Valencia, resting.
A further contest with the University of Alabama-Birmingham, originally slated for Sunday, was not held.
A short break awaits for both tennis programs ahead of conference matches starting next week. Men’s tennis will travel to Nebraska for the weekend of March 22-23, taking on Creighton University and the University of Nebraska Omaha. The match against Omaha will mark the start of Summit League play.
Women’s tennis starts its Missouri Valley Conference campaign on March 22, facing Bradley University in Peoria.
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