INDIANAPOLIS - The Saginaw Valley State University women's tennis team scored some impressive and dramatic victories on the opening day of the ITA Regional in Indianapolis. Four Cardinals remain alive heading into the second day of the tournament.

In the A draw, No. 7 seed Izabella Ismailova rallied from a 4-3 first-set deficit to win her first singles match 6-4, 6-4 over her opponent from Maryville University. In her next match, Ismailova trailed 3-0 in the second set before mounting a comeback to win 6-4, 7-5 over her opponent from the University of Illinois-Springfield. 

Ana Pico also showed her moxie, as she was down 5-4 in the second set before rallying to win the set and ultimately the match 4-6, 7-5, 10-4 over her challenger from GLIAC rival Walsh University. Pico won her second match, as well, 6-4, 6-2 over her opponent from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. 

Shea Donahue nearly pulled off a huge upset. After winning her first match 6-3, 7-6 (6) over her rival from Bellarmine University, Donahue battled the No. 5 seed from Lewis University before ultimately dropping the decision 6-7 (3), 6-2, 11-9.

In the B draw, Abby Shonk claimed a dramatic victory. With twilight approaching in a match that concluded 10 hours after the day's play began, she won in a tiebreaker, 6-4, 7-6 (8) against her opponent from the host school, the University of Indianapolis. Shonk won her first match of the day 6-0, 6-0 over her challenger from the University of Southern Indiana.

Shonk's high school teammate, Danielle Slonac showed some dramatic flair, as well. After winning her first match 6-3, 6-2 over her opponent from GLIAC rival Wayne State University, she faced another conference foe, taking on a rival from Walsh. Slonac won 4-6, 6-1, 10-1.

Erin Doud drew a first-round bye and dropped her only singles match of the day, 6-1, 6-0.

In doubles play, Doud and Pico won their first match in the A draw, defeating their opponents from Alderson-Broaddus University 8-2 before bowing out to Maryville by the same score.

Ismailova and Slonac drew a bye and dropped their only match 8-6 to Indianapolis.

Donahue and Shonk defeated their opponents from Southern Indiana 8-5 before losing 8-2 to the team from Rockhurst University.

The Cardinals return to action for day two of the ITA regional Saturday, Sept. 26.

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