Cyclones Sweep Pair Of Matches

URBANDALE, Iowa – Iowa State beat Illinois State and North Dakota in sweeping fashion on Saturday to start the spring season.

The Cyclones (2-0) have now won 19 consecutive home matches, a streak that dates back to the 2018-19 season.

Iowa State 7, Illinois State 0
Iowa State opened the season with a 7-0 win against Illinois State.

The Cyclones took the doubles point behind wins at all three slots. Chie Kezuka and Ange Oby Kajuru got things started with a 6-2 win over the Redbirds' Laura Fitzgerald and Alexandra Abyasova. The point was secured by Thasaporn Naklo and Christin Hsieh beating Tijana Zlatanovic and Tara Damnjanovic, 7-6 (3).

In singles action, ISU swept play in straight sets except at the No. 3 position, where Kezuka had to out battle Maria Potsi for a three-set win, 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (7).

Naklo, who entered the spring ranked No. 27, rolled to a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Zlatanovic.

Doubles Results
Order of Finish: 3, 1, 2
#1 – Thasaporn Naklo/Christin Hsieh (ISU) def. Tijana Zlatanovic/Tara Damnjanovic (ILLST), 7-6 (3)
#2 – Sofia Cabezas/Anna Supapitch Kuearum (ISU) def. Maria Potsi/Penelope Abreu (ILLST), 7-6 (5)
#3 – Chie Kezuka/Ange Oby Kajuru (ISU) def. Laura Fitzgerald/Alexandra Abyasova (ILLST), 6-2

Singles Results
Order of Finish: 2, 4, 1, 5, 6, 3
#1 – No. 27 Naklo (ISU) def. Zlatanovic (ILLST), 6-4, 6-1
#2 – Kajuru (ISU) def. Abyasova (ILLST), 6-1, 6-0
#3 – Kezuka (ISU) def. Potsi (ILLST), 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (7)
#4 – Supapitch Kuearum (ISU) def. Damnjanovic (ILLST), 6-1, 6-1
#5 – Hsieh (ISU) def. Elena Jankulovska (ILLST), 6-4, 6-1
#6 – Cabezas (ISU) def. Abreu (ILLST), 6-4, 6-3

Iowa State 7, North Dakota 0
The Cyclones rolled to their second sweep of the day, disposing of North Dakota in convincing fashion to improve to 2-0.

ISU won the doubles point behind 6-1 wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. In this match, Kezuka and Oby Kajuru played at the No. 2 slot and beat Lucia Rizza and Allie Ochotorena, while Cabezas and Supapitch Kuearum beat Charlotte Bowles and Nore Heinitz at No. 3.

Naklo improved to 2-0 this spring with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Sapir Sela at No. 1 singles, which clinched the match for the Cyclones. Kajuru played at No. 2 singles and beat Andrea Jansson, 6-2, 6-1.

Doubles Results
Order of Finish: 2,3
#1 – Thasaporn Naklo/Christin Hsieh (ISU) vs. Sapir Sela/Andrea Jansson (ND), 5-1 UF
#2 – Chie Kezuka/Ange Oby Kajuru (ISU) def. Lucia Rizza/Allie Ochotorena (ND), 6-1
#3 - Sofia Cabezas/Anna Supapitch Kuearum (ISU) def. Charlotte Bowles/Nore Heinitz (ND), 6-1

Singles Results
Order of Finish: 3, 4, 1, 2, 6, 5
#1 – No. 27 Naklo (ISU) def. Sela (ND), 6-1, 6-3
#2 – Kajuru (ISU) def. Jansson (ND), 6-2, 6-1
#3 – Supapitch Kuearum (ISU) def. Ochotorena (ND), 6-1, 6-0
#4 - Kezuka (ISU) def. Heinitz (ND), 6-2, 6-0
#5 – Cabezas (ISU) def. Rizza (ND), 6-3, 6-2
#6 – Hsieh (ISU) def. Angela Georgieva (ND), 6-3, 6-1

Next Up
The Cyclones return to action next Saturday at the ITA Kickoff, facing No. 8 NC State.

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Players Mentioned

Sofia Cabezas

Christin Hsieh

Ange Oby Kajuru

Chie Kezuka

Anna Supapitch Kuearum

Thasaporn Naklo

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics