VALPARAISO, Ind. – In just the second weekend of conference play, the UIC women's tennis team (8-7, 2-1 MVC) ousted a feisty Valparaiso squad on the road by a score of 5-2. The Flames got off to a slow start, being edged out of the doubles' point and then losing first sets on four out of six singles' courts. Quick wins at 2 and 3 singles by
Natalia Nikolopoulou and
Tamara Malazonia shifted the momentum, and the resilient Flames rallied to win five of six singles spots.
The Flames are now 14-0 all-time against Valparaiso. The Beacons fall to 0-3 in league play after today's defeat and a narrow 4-3 loss to Belmont, the MVC's favorite in the pre-season poll, last weekend.
DOUBLES:
SINGLES:
- Natalia Nikolopoulou shut out Demi Jhaveri in the first set of singles #3, 6-0, 6-4.
- Tamara Malazonia came out on top 6-3 both sets at the number two position over Moira Silva, the MVC Flight 2 singles champ.
- At position five, Cora-Lynn von Dungern came back after losing the first set against Eleanor Chapman 2-6, 6-2, 6-3.
- Agnes Gustafsson earned a clutch win and clinch over MVC Player of the Year, Olivia Czerwonka after a tiebreaker 3-6, 7-6, 7-5, 6-3.
- Matchup four ended with 0-6, 7-5, 7-5 victory for Ana Jover, securing the win for the Flames.
- Paula Rodriguez Gregoris dropped dropped a three-setter, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6 at #6 singles.
COACH'S COMMENTS
Head Coach Shannon Tully: This match was one that gave me great pride as the coach of this group. We had a tricky week with multiple health issues, and I felt fortunate to have our full line-up back in for today's competition. For the first half of this match, Valparaiso was running away with what looked to be a potential 5-2 win. I was so impressed to see a total team effort, with all six singles' players digging their heels in and refusing to lose.
Tamara lost to her same opponent 6-1, 6-0 this fall, so that was a huge turnaround. Agnes was down 6-3, 4-1 against the 2022 MVC Player of the Year, before fighting back to finish with a 3-set victory and a clinch. Natalia is now 3-0 at #3 in her MVC match-ups, and she earned a decisive win today to initially put us on the board. At #4, Ana fended off 4 match points in the second to finish with a gritty 0-6, 7-5, 7-5 victory. Cora-Lynn turned her match around after losing a quick first set at #5 and coming through with a huge three-set victory. And at #6, Paula could have been down and out after the first set, but she pushed her match to the limit before eventually falling 6-4 in the third.
These matches are the ones that really push us further as a group. To see the whole team fighting alongside each other and just never quitting, it's just something a coach wants to see every time we set foot on the court.
UP NEXT
The Flames return home for a another MVC matchup against Murray State Friday, March 31. First serve is scheduled for 10 a.m. from the XS Tennis Village or at the UIC Flames Outdoor Courts, weather permitting. Admission is free for spectators, and on-location parking is also available free of charge.
