Illinois State’s women’s tennis team competed at home on Saturday at the Evergreen Racquet Club against the University of Illinois-Chicago Flames. The results went in the Flames favor, 4-3.

This was the first home match for the Redbirds in two weeks. It was also the first loss at home for the women’s tennis team, now with a record of 3-1 at home.

“Today was a tough loss to a tough team, I really thought we had them on the ropes ... but I am not unhappy with the loss. We are still getting back on track,” ISU women’s head coach Chris Hoover said.

The No. 3 doubles, UIC’s Natalia Kuvakina and Ann-Sophie Hahn, defeated Carolina Abello and Heather Nisbet. The No. 2 duo Stefanie Youngberg and Phyllis Tigges grabbed the win against Jana Knoppe and Kathryn Sharples, 8-6. At the No. 1 spot, Emmie Marx and Sarah Paulson pulled out a win for the Redbirds against UIC’s Haley Craig and Mariana Palacios. This Redbird win was decided after a tie breaker, 8-7 (7)4. Freshman, Paulson, replaced Marx’s partner Kadi Ilves who missed the match against Lamar.

“Without Kadi, we have been playing shorthanded,” Hoover said. “But, I thought Sarah did a nice job filling in at No.1 doubles with Emmie.”

During the singles ISU fell short to capture the victory at home. Marx and Tigges each got a win for the Redbirds. Marx was at the No. 1 position and went against the Flames’ Craig to pull out a win at 6-3, 7-6(3). Tigges came out on top beating Sharples, 6-3, 6-3.

Andrew S. Avitt/Photographer: Phyllis Tigges notched a win in singles play against UIC-Chicago on Saturday.

“Emmie did a nice job at singles, and so did Phyllis,” Hoover said. “They worked hard to pick up quality wins today.”

The ’Birds will be back in actin in at 2 p.m. on March 12 in New Orleans.