ILLINOIS STATE ATHLETICS

For Immediate Release

By: Matt Henton
 
April 28, 2019.

Women’s Tennis Claims MVC Championship Title,

Punches Ticket to NCAA Tournament
 
NORMAL, Ill. – Natalia Bravo persevered in a three-setter to push the Illinois State women’s tennis team to a 4-3
victory over No. 1 Stony Brook, clinching the MVC Championship title for the first time since 2005. Coach Kovacek
and the Redbirds have received an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, and will discover their next opponent
during the Selection Show tomorrow at 5:30 p.m..
 
The team will be holding a public viewing at the Hancock Stadium Club, with doors scheduled to open at 5:15 p.m.
Fans are encouraged to park in the lot east of Hancock Stadium and use the north elevator inside the gates to get up
to the club level.
 
How it Happened
Stony Brook secured the doubles point, but the ‘Birds were ready to make a comeback in the singles matches.
Freshman Tara Damnjanovic answered for Illinois State, earning a win over Nolwenn Cardoso 6-2, 6-1. Next was
sophomore Ivon Mihaleva, who took down Elizabeth Pam 7-5, 6-2. The 2019 Player of the Year Veronika
Golanova evened the score 3-3 as she defeated Jamie Wei 6-0, 7-5 at the No. 1 spot. Finally, junior Natalia
Bravo secured the victory for the ‘Birds with a hard-fought win against Sasha Bekirrova 6-1, 7-6, 6-3.

“I’m extremely happy for us. We’ve practiced so hard and dedicated so much time to get better, that we deserve it,”
said Natalia Bravo after clinching the win for the ‘Birds. “My match was very tough and by the end of it I was
cramping and was extremely tired but I felt like I owed winning to the team, so I just decided to give it my all and
eventually I won. I’m extremely happy to have clinched the match and I’m very proud of the whole team. Go birds!!”
 
Redbirds Scoring Breakdown:
 
Singles Competition

1. Veronika Golanova (ISU) def. Jamie Wei (SB) 6-0, 7-5

2. Tara Damnjanovic (ISU) def. Nolwenn Cardoso (SB) 6-2, 6-1
3. Natalia Bravo (ISU) def. Sasha Bekirrova (SB) 6-1, 7-6, 6-3
4. A. Carrion-Rodriguez (SB) def. Jana Kustkova (ISU) 6-2, 2-6, 6-2
5 Maria Pinto Riberio (SB) def. Laura Fitzgerald (ISU) 6-4, 6-2
6. Ivon Mihaleva (ISU) def. Elizabeth Pam (SB) 7-5, 6-2
 
Doubles competition

1. Veronika Golanova/ Tara Damnjanovic (ILST) def. Jamie Wei/Nolwenn Cardoso (SB) 6-2

2. Sasha Bekirrova/Elizabeth Pam (SB) def. Jana Kustkova/Laura Fitzgerald (ILST) 6-1
3. A. Carrion-Rodriguez/Maria Pinto Riberio (SB) def. Natalia Bravo/Ivon Mihaleva (ILST) 7-6

Thoughts from Coach Maja Kovacek:

“It was such a competitive match starting with the doubles point coming down to a tie breaker. We knew we could
come back in singles and everyone gave an extraordinary effort considering we definitely felt the fatigue. The way
Natalia finished of the match, going for her shots and finding that last ounce of energy was incredible. This is a
special group and I couldn’t be more-proud of them.”
   
GoRedbirds.com:  Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts,
multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
 
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