Racers Struggle to Find Groove in Road Trip to Illinois

Thursday, March 30

Normal, Ill.

12 p.m.

Murray State

Illinois State

Racers Struggle to Find Groove in Road Trip to Illinois

4/3/2023 10:43:00 AM | Women's Tennis

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Racers fall to Illinois State and UIC

Murray State traveled to Illinois for two conference matchups against Illinois State and UIC.

In their match against Illinois State, the Racers struggled to find their groove. The Red Birds began the match, clinching the doubles point, followed by six singles wins. The Red Birds won the match 7-0, on Thursday.

The Racers went back into action against the Flames, Friday.

Starting in doubles play, Racers doubles pair Jordina Font/Natalie Slezakova defeated their opponents (6-3). However, the Flames clinched the doubles point with a win in the second and third flights.

Following in singles play, the Racers had two wins. In the fourth flight, Natalie Slezakova won her match (6-4), (6-4). Paola Campigotto followed in the sixth flight defeating her opponent in three sets (3-6), (6-2), (10-6). UIC grabbed four wins clinching the match and defeating the Racers 5-2.

"We knew it was going to be a tough road trip against two of the top teams in our league but both matches were very different. Illinois State played a flawless match against us on all 3 doubles and 6 singles so props to them. We have to do a better job, though, of finding solutions and a way to make the opponent uncomfortable when they are playing with that much confidence," said head coach Jorge Caetano.

"Against UIC we were able to compete at a much higher level and we just couldn't capitalize on our opportunities. I felt like the doubles point was there for us to take and we couldn't get it done. Then we had many opportunities in singles as well but as a team, we weren't sharp enough in the big moments. We know what we have to work on this week. This group has great character, and we will learn and these losses will make us stronger"

Murray State 0 x 7 Illinois State
Doubles
#1 Tara Damnjanovic/Tijana Zlatanovic (ILS) def. Natalie Slezakova/Jordina Font (MSU) 6-0
#2 Alexandra Abyasova/Silvia Pomarolli (ILS) def. Emma Honore/Annika Pschorr (MSU) 6-2
#3 Elena Jankulovska/Nevena Kolarevic (ILS) def. Sarah Bureau/ Marit Kreugel (MSU) 6-2

Singles
#1 Tijana Zlatanovic (ILS) def. Sarah Bureau (MSU) 6-2, 6-0
#2 Alexandra Abyasova (ILS) def. Emma Honore (MSU) 6-3, 6-0
#3 Nevena Kolarevic (ILS) def. Annika Pschorr (MSU) 6-1, 6-3
#4 Tara Damnjanovic (ILS) def. Natalie Slezakova (MSU) 6-3, 6-4
#5 Silvia Pomarolli (ILS) def. Jordi Font Montero (MSU) 6-3, 6-3
#6 Elena Jankulovska (ILS) def. Paola Campigotto (MSU) 6-1, 3-6, 10-7

Murray State 2 x 5 UIC
Doubles
#1 Jordina Font/Natalie Slezakova (MSU) def. Gustafsson/Nikolopoulou (UIC) 6-3
#2 Von Dungern/Jover (UIC) def. Emma Honore/Annika Pschorr (MSU) 7-5
#3 Ryan/Malazonia (UIC) def. Sarah Bureau/Marit Kreugel (MSU) 7-6

Singles
#1 Gustaffson (UIC) def. Sarah Bureau (MSU) 6-4, 6-2
#2 Malazonia (UIC) def. Emma Honore (MSU) 6-4, 6-1
#3 Nikolopoulou (UIC) def. Annika Pschorr (MSU) 3-6, 7-6, 10-6
#4 Natalie Slezakova (MSU) def. Jover (UIC) 6-4, 6-4
#5 Von Dungern (UIC) def. Jordina Font (MSU) 4-6, 6-1, 6-0
#6 Paola Campigotto (MSU) def. Forste-Dinell (UIC) 3-6, 6-2, 10-6

The Racers travel to Missouri State on Thursday, then host Northern Iowa, Saturday.