DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake women's tennis began its final homestand of the season with a 4-3 victory over Missouri Valley Conference rival Illinois State on Friday night. The Bulldogs got off to a good start in doubles play and held on through singles to pick up their third straight win.

Maja Dodik and Jordane Dookie, the top Drake doubles duo this season, beat Lana Caculovic and Silvia Pomarolli, 6-1, before the Dogs locked up the doubles point in the next match. Milana Dejanovic and Shiori Takeda combined forces to take down Vittoria Benedetti and Emma Lindh to put Drake up 1-0 overall.

Lindh quickly earned the first singles tally after No. 6 Bulldog Elizabete Klavinska was forced to retire, but Dodik and Kristina Tai got Drake right back on the board with a pair of straight-set victories in the first and second spots, respectively.

The Bulldogs and Redbirds split the next two matches as Nuria Sanz beat Dejanovic and Dookie outlasted Nicole Iosio, but the Dogs had done enough damage to secure the match win.
Benedetti defeated Takeda in the final match, but the score was all but settled as Drake earned a 4-3 win, snapping a 3-match skid to the Redbirds.

Drake will be back at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center tomorrow for a noon match against Bradley. Saturday will mark the Dogs' final home match of the season.
 

Singles Competition
1. Maja Dodik (DU) def. Lana Caculovic (ILST) 6-0, 6-4
2. Kristina Tai (DU) def. Silvia Pomarolli (ILST) 6-1, 6-4
3. Vittoria Benedetti (ILST) def. Shiori Takeda (DU) 6-4, 5-7, 7-5
4. Jordane Dookie (DU) def. Nicole Iosio (ILST) 7-5, 6-4, 6-2
5. Nuria Sanz (ILST) def. Milana Dejanovic (DU) 6-4, 6-3
6. Emma Lindh (ILST) def. Elizabete Klavinska (DU) by retirement.
 
Doubles Competition
1. Maja Dodik/Jordane Dookie (DU) def. Lana Caculovic/Silvia Pomarolli (ILST) 6-1
2. Nicole Iosio/Nuria Sanz (ILST) def. Kristina Tai/Elizabete Klavinska (DU) 7-5
3. Milana Dejanovic/Shiori Takeda (DU) def. Vittoria Benedetti/Emma Lindh (ILST) 6-2