Stefanova Wins 10th Straight Singles Match as Scots Win at IC

by Nathan Baliva

MONMOUTH, Ill. (09/30/2023) — The Monmouth College women's team won their second match in a row with a 5-4 road victory over Illinois College on Saturday.

Kathi Ramsenthaler (Linz, Austria) and Natalie Labicki (Antioch, Illinois) got things started at No. 1 doubles with an 8-6 win. Ivana Stefanova (Streamwood, Illinois) and Jennifer Shimmin (Monmouth, Illinois) won 8-4 at No. 2 doubles to give the Scots a 2-1 lead heading to singles. Kimber Calvert (Paris, Illinois) and Julia Mheidze (Springfield, Illinois) fell at No. 3 doubles 8-1.

Stefanova dominated her No. 1 singles match 6-0, 6-0 to improve to 10-0 in singles on the season. Ramsenthaler won at No. 2 singles 6-2, 6-3 to clinch the match after Labicki won 6-2, 6-0 at No. 3 singles. Calvert lost 6-0, 6-0 at No. 4 singles, Shimmin lost 6-1, 6-1 at No. 5 and Mheidze lost 6-0, 6-0 at No. 6.
"We've had some bright spots through the season and today was one of those where we pulled out a hard-fought victory," said head coach Brian Dahlstrom. "As we get near the end of the season the things we've been working on, with shot selection and fighting for points, is starting to pay off."

MONMOUTH MOMENTS: Stefanova has a school record 10-match win streak in singlesHer 10 singles wins are the most by any Monmouth woman since 2009-10 and rank tied for ninth on the single-season wins listWith a 9-1 doubles record, Stefanova is tied for 13th on the single-season doubles wins listHer 19 total wins are tied for ninth on the Scots single-season listMonmouth is 5-5 overall and 2-3 in MWC playThe Scots will play host Illinois Wesleyan for Senior Day on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Julia

Mheidze