McLean County Times

The MVC Tennis Championship concluded with Murray State defeating Illinois State 4-1 at the Belmont Tennis Complex in Nashville, Tennessee. The top-seeded Racers faced off against the second-seeded Redbirds, securing their victory on Sunday.

Murray State gained an early advantage by winning at the No. 3 and No. 1 doubles positions, earning the first point of the match. Despite this setback, Illinois State's Lana Caculovic, recognized as the 2024 MVC Newcomer of the Year, leveled the score to 1-1 by defeating Sarah Bureau with a score of 6-4, 6-4 in singles play at the No. 2 spot.

However, Murray State secured victories in three additional singles matches at positions No. 4, No. 6, and No. 1 to clinch both the match and championship title.

The final score was Murray State (4), Illinois State (1).

In doubles play:

- Emma Honore and Natalie Slezakova from Murray State defeated Lana Caculovic and Tijana Zlatanovic from Illinois State with a score of 6-4.

- The match between Sarah Bureau/Annika Pschorr (MUR) and Nevena Kolarevic/Silvia Pomarolli (ILS) remained unfinished at a score of 5-2.

- Paola Campigotto and Marit Kreugel from Murray State overcame Zoe Limparis and Nuria Sanz from Illinois State with a decisive win of 6-1.

In singles competition:

- Valeria Chaikovskaia from Murray State triumphed over Tijana Zlatanovic from Illinois State with scores of 6-2, 2-6, 6-2.

- Lana Caculovic (ILS) won against Sarah Bureau (MUR) scoring two sets of 6-4 each.

- The match between Emma Honore (MUR) and Nevena Kolarevic (ILS) was left unfinished at scores of 6-3, 5-7, and an ongoing third set.

- Varya Alexeyeva from Murray claimed victory over Silvia Pomarolli from Illinois with scores of 6-1, 7-5.

- Marit Kreugel's game against Nuria Sanz was not completed but stood at scores of 6-4 for Kreugel in one set while Sanz led another unfinished set.

- Natalie Slezakova defeated Sofia Rodrigo from Illinois with scores of 7–6(7–2), followed by a more decisive second set win of 6–1.

For further information on tickets or merchandise related to Illinois State sports events, visit GoRedbirds.com or access the Illinois State Redbirds App.