Freshman Lillian Kelly (Fullerton, Calif. / Fullerton Union) punched her ticket to a Missouri Valley Conference title match in Flight 7 Singles, prevailing in her semifinal match on Saturday. That highlighted the day of Valparaiso University tennis action at the MVC Individual Championships, hosted by Missouri State in Springfield, Mo.

How It Happened

• Kelly edged out a Set 1 victory over UIC’s Paula Rodriguez 7-6(3) before running away with a lopsided second set, 6-1 to move on to Sunday’s championship match in Flight 7 Singles. She will clash with Murray State’s Paola Campigotto for championship hardware.
• Fifth-year senior Olivia Czerwonka (Kenosha, Wis. / Saint Joseph Catholic Academy) grabbed a straight-set win over Bradley’s Andra Sirbu on Saturday in the consolation draw of Flight 1 Singles, moving on to the fifth-place match, where she will meet Valeria Chaikovskaia of Murray State on Sunday.
• In Flight 3 Singles, Mia Bertino (Lockport, Ill. / Joliet Catholic) has reached the fifth-place match after wins in the consolation draw over UNI’s Kim Zizek (6-3, 6-4) and Drake’s Elizabete Klavinska (3-6, 6-1, 10-5).
• In Flight 4 Singles, Sydney Stone (Brisbane, Australia / Tyler JC) dropped her semifinal match with Murray State’s Emma Honore and will play Bradley’s Kirstin Hailey for third on Sunday.
• In Flight 6 Singles, Jolene Fernandes (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) fell in her semifinal match despite taking the first set, as Murray State’s Natalie Slezakova clawed back for a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 win. Fernandes will play UIC’s Zara Ryan for third on Sunday.
• In Flight 3 Doubles, Bertino/Fernandes dropped an 8-5 decision to Klavinska/Lee of Drake in the semifinal match and will play Belogliadova/Hildreth of Bradley for third on Sunday.

Up Next

The MVC Individual Championships will conclude on Sunday in Springfield.