Southern Illinois University
Bradley
Women's Tennis Topples Bradley In MVC Play
04/18/2003 | 12:00:00 | Women's Tennis
April 18, 2003
Carbondale, Ill. - The sun returned to the University Courts as the women's tennis team defeated conference foe Bradley, 6-1. The victory brought the Salukis their fifth conference win of the season for a 5-3 MVC record, and improved their overall record to 8-13.
"We're definatly moving in the right direction," said SIU head coach Judy Auld. "I'm pleased with this win, especially with the injuries we've fought through this season. I just want to go into the MVC conference tournament with a healthy team."
SIU swept the doubles point against the Braves with the Blanco sisters, Alejandra and Maria, winning their seventh match this spring at No. 1. Juniors Jessica Knitter and Tana Trapani grabbed a win at the No. 2 spot, while freshmen Zoya Honarmand and Sophie Bedard contributed with a defeat at No. 3.
In singles, the Salukis dominated, winning 5 of 6 mathces and only losing at the No. 4 position after Bedard had to retire because of injury. Maria Blanco blanked Kelley Wood at No. 2, 6-0, 6-0, for her eighth win of the season, while Knitter grabbed her twelvth singles victory against Marcie Cain, 6-1, 6-3. Knitter is 6-2 in MVC play.
"She is doing well, and sometimes I wish I could have had Jessica (Knitter) for four years," said Auld. "Getting a junior transfer is sometimes like having a freshman, and Division I tennis is so much different that I wonder how far she could have gone with more time here."
Tana Trapani stepped up once again to pound her opponent, Nicole Kirley, at the No. 5 spot, 6-0, 6-0.
"I'm proud of Tana for working so hard to get back playing," Auld said. "It would have been nice to have her earlier in the season, but I believe she will help us get some wins at the (MVC) tournament. Getting in some match play will help revive her mental game and help in her conditioning for the future."
SIU will finish the regular season with a match tomorrow (Saturday, 10am) against Illinois State, which has the best record in the conference ... a perfect 7-0. Results can be found on the team's official website at www.siusalukis.com.
SIU vs. Bradley
Win 6-1
Singles:
No. 1 - Alejandra Blanco (SIU) def. Ashley Morris (BU) 6-4, 6-4
No. 2 - Maria Blanco (SIU) def. Kelley Wood (BU) 6-0, 6-0
No. 3 - Jessica Knitter (SIU) def. Marcie Cain (BU) 6-1, 6-3
No. 4 - Jessie Paterson (BU) def. Sophie Bedard (SIU) 4-5, retired
No. 5 - Tana Trapani (SIU) def. Nicole Kirley (BU) 6-0, 6-0
No. 6 - Zoya Honarmand (SIU) def. Marissa Bianchi (BU) 6-0, 6-2
Doubles:
No. 1 - Blanco/Blanco (SIU) def. Morris/Wood (BU) 8-4
No. 2 - Knitter/Trapani (SIU) def. Kirley/Victoria Robertson (BU) 8-3
No. 3 - Bedard/Honarmand (SIU) def. Bianchi/Paterson (BU) 8-5
