Women’s tennis clinches MVC tournament title

One week after beating Drake at home to clinch the MVC regular season championship, Wichita State’s women’s tennis team travelled to Normal, Ill. to go for the tournament title.

As the No. 1 overall tournament seed, WSU had Friday off before playing host school, Illinois State, in the semifinals.

WSU swept the Redbirds 4-0, improving them to 18-6 and undefeated when playing a MVC opponent this season.

Doubles play went smoothly with wins from duos Lucia Kovalova/Veronika Blaskova and Montse Blasco-Fernandez/Rebecca Pedrazzi. Both duos won their matches 8-3 to give WSU the doubles point.

“We’re a good team,” Blasco-Fernandez said. “We can celebrate this for now, but then its time to focus on the NCAA tournament. Hopefully we can show how good we are.”

In singles play Abby Stevens was quick on the court, being the first WSU singles player off the courts. Stevens won 6-3, 6-0.

Stevens was followed off the courts by Blaskova (6-3, 6-4) and Pedrazzi (6-4, 6-3) to clinch the match for WSU.

The Shockers advanced to the title match to rematch Drake, as the Bulldogs had moved passed a tough Southern Illinois team.

WSU’s doubles teams once again were able to give the team the early 1-0 lead. Blaskova/Kovalova won 8-4, but the point looked to be in danger as the No. 2 doubles team was knotted at 6-6, and the No. 3 at 7-7. Schiller/Stevens were able to pull away just enough at the No. 3 doubles to clinch the point with an 8-7 win.

“Winning that first point is always so critical,” Kovalova said. “Our doubles is strong and it’s really exciting to win the MVC tournament again.”

In singles play the Shockers who won their matches won decisively allowed Drake just seven games between the three matches. Schiller was the first off the courts with a 6-1, 6-0 win.

Blaskova won 6-1, 6-2 over Lea Kozulic and the WSU newcomer Stevens clinched the tournament championship with a 6-2, 6-1 win.

“This team always fights whether we are winning or losing,” Kovalova said. “We need to be prepared to play our best tennis.”

With the win WSU moves to 19-6 on the year and receive the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament in Athens, Ga. The tournament starts Thursday, May 15 and runs through May 26.