Feb. 1, 2000

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - After going 0-2 in Florida last weekend, one would think head coach Sujay Lama would be worried about facing No. 14 Tennessee. One would be wrong.

Illinois, now 1-3 on the year, faces the Lady Volunteers Feb. 5 at noon in Knoxville, Tenn. Despite three consecutive losses, Lama says he is encouraged by the Illini's play.

"Tennessee is one of the top 15 programs in the country, and we look forward to playing them," Lama said. "We made a huge leap last week in terms of performance, and this match is another part of the schedule that will help us improve."

Last weekend, the Illini lost to South Florida 6-3 and the No. 2 Florida Lady Gators 9-0. In her first action of the spring, sophomore Brooke Ferney defeated USF's Natalie Schwartz 6-4, 7-5 at No. 4 singles. At No. 3, senior Natalia Manasova won a three-setter (6-1, 2-6, 6-1) over South Florida's Tina Harrison and teamed with freshman Eldina Fazlic at No. 3 to win 8-6 over Genevieve Houle and Ildiko Zubor of South Florida.

Against the Lady Gators, Ferney moved up to No. 2 in the singles lineup and went three sets with Baili Camino before falling 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. At No. 6 singles, senior Megan Wise also battled to three sets, winning the first 6-3 before losing the second in a 7-5 tiebreaker. Wise retired in the third set at 4-0.

"The score may not reflect it, but the best part was our players knew they were right there with the Florida players," Lama said. "It was great to see how hard we fought. Now we just need to be more fit and mentally tough."

Playing No. 1 for Illinois, Fazlic owns a level mark of 2-2. Ferney opened her spring action by going 1-1. In doubles, Fazlic and Manasova have put together a 2-1 record.

"Our goal is for everyone to give 110 percent and never beat themselves," Lama said. "Right now, the results we look at are performance-oriented, not records."