Monday, 11/10/2008

Sept. 12, 2008 ISU Begins Fall Season at Tiger Invitational COLUMBIA, Mo.—Junior Julia Zubkova and freshman Franziska Steinhardt won their first two doubles matches to advance to the semifinals as the Illinois State women’s tennis team opened its fall season at the Mizzou Tiger Invitational Friday. Two Redbirds also advanced in singles play.   The Redbird pair of Zubkova and Steinhardt bested Missouri’s (MU) Maurenn Modesto and Sofia Ayala, 9-7, in the first-round doubles draw. The duo carried their momentum into the second round where they defeated Chelsea Horner and Rist (UMKC), 8-1, and advanced to doubles semifinals Saturday.   The doubles pair of sophomore Carmen Peters and freshman Sarah Streitz fell to Kaitlyn Ritchie and Jessica Giuggioli (MU), 8-3, in the first round. Drake’s (DU) Jessica Aguilera and Emily Lauer defeated the duo in the second round, 8-2.   Also in doubles action, Redbirds Hannah Esker and Tanja Hrovatic fell to Veronika Leszayova and Sarah Plowman (DU), 8-5, in the first round. However, the pair came back to win the second round, 8-6, against Jillian Yakominich and Jessica Ball (UMKC).   In Flight A singles, Hrovatic advanced to Saturday’s quarterfinals after besting Casey Miller of Saint Louis (SLU), 6-1, 6-4.  Steinhardt fell to Kaitlyn Ritchie (MU), 6-1, 6-0.  Zubkova, in a three-set tiebreak, fell to Maureen Rielley (SLU), 6-2, 3-6, 10-8.   “Julia was up in the tiebreak, 8-5, but she lost the last five-straight points,” said head coach Chris Hoover. “She was not on her game today. She just took her foot off the gas too soon.”   In Flight B singles, Peters advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Rist (UMKC), 6-1, 6-3. However, Esker will not be joining Peters,  after falling to Maureen Modesto (MU), 7-5, 6-3. Streitz was also defeated by Caitlin Bokulic (SLU), 6-1, 6-2, in Flight C singles.   Overall, Hoover thought the team could have played better, but he is excited to still have two singles players and one doubles pair advancing in the invitational.   “I wish we could have won more matches,” said Hoover. “But I am anxious to see how the team responds tomorrow.”   Action continues in the Mizzou Tiger Invitational Saturday and concludes Sunday.   ###