INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI women’s tennis team got off a solid start in doubles, but Illinois State rallied to win the doubles point and continued that momentum into singles action as the Redbirds defeated the Jaguars, 6-1 Sunday afternoon at Five Seasons Sports Club in Carmel, Ind.

At No. 1 doubles, the tandem of Alisha Cummings and Rachael Bridegroom got off to a great start using an early break to jump in front, 4-1. Despite holding that lead at No. 1 doubles, the Jags No. 2 and No. 3 doubles teams dropped their matches with the No. 1 match still going on securing the doubles point for the Redbirds.

With the point secured, Cummings and Bridegroom lost their momentum and the top Redbirds duo rallied to win that match, 8-4.

The outcome had been determined following losses at the No. 1, 2, and 3 positions in singles, play for the Jags, before IUPUI got on the board.

The Jags lone point came from Vanessa Whyte at the fourth singles position. After winning the first set, Whyte found herself trailing 4-3 midway through the second set. However, the London, England-native mustered a comeback and completed a victory thanks to a 7-5 second-set, come-from-behind triumph.

To round out singles action, Bridegroom and Jesika Bays each fell by identical 6-2, 6-1 scores.
The loss dropped the Jags to 0-5 on the season.

IUPUI is back in action next week when it travels to the state of Ohio to take on Youngstown State and Akron on Feb. 3 and Feb. 4, respectively.

Illinois State 6, IUPUI 1
Doubles
No. 1 – Aniko Kiss/Phyllis Tigges (ISU) def. Alisha Cummings/Rachael Bridegroom (IUPUI), 8-4
No. 2 – Ariane Maack/Emmy Marx (ISU) def. Danielle Haefele/Shelby Hullett (IUPUI), 8-2
No. 3 – Hannah Esker/Heather Nisbet (ISU) def. Abbey Neff/Vanessa Whyte (IUPUI),  8-4

Singles
No. 1 - Aniko Kiss (ISU) def. Alisha Cummings (IUPUI), 6-4, 6-0
No. 2 – Phyllis Tigges (ISU) def.  Shelby Hullett (IUPUI, 6-4, 6-3
No. 3 – Emmy Marx (ISU) def. Abbey Neff (IUPUI), 6-2, 6-0
No. 4 – Vanessa Whyte (IUPUI) def. Carolina Abello (ISU), 6-3, 7-5
No. 5 – Hannah Esker (ISU) def. Rachael Bridegroom (IUPUI), 6-2, 6-1
No. 6 – Gabby Phillips (ISU) def. Jesika Bays (IUPUI), 6-2, 6-1