April 22, 2000
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- It was a slugfest at the Atkins Tennis Center on Saturday afternoon, and the Fighting Illini women netters were left standing with the 4-3 win over the Wisconsin Badgers.
Illinois, now 11-10 overall and 8-1 in Big Ten action, lost the doubles point but rallied to win four singles match for its fourth straight home victory. Sophomore Brooke Ferney sealed the UI win by outlasting Vanessa Rauh 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 at No. 2 singles. The Illini produced another win at the top of the lineup with freshman Eldina Fazlic downing April Gabler 6-2, 3-6, 6-1. At No. 4, junior Carla Rosenberg went 6-4, 6-0 over Dena Baritot, and senior Megan Wise won 6-1, 6-0 over Lara Vojnov at No. 6.
"These young ladies are a bunch of warriors who compete and battle all the time," Head coach Sujay Lama. "There have been so many tough situations and so much adversity this season, but today was another test where they stepped it up and got the job done."
The Illini started the match by falling in two out of three doubles matches. Manasova and Rosenberg got the lone Illinois win by taking Linde Mues and Katie Dougherty 8-3 at No. 2. Ferney and Loebnitz were edged 9-7 by Gabler and Vojnov at No. 1 and Fazlic and Wise lost 8-6 to Baritot and McElroy at No. 3.
Illinois responded in singles with wins by Wise and Rosenberg, putting the team up 2-1. Fazlic would deliver a win in three sets, but Manasova lost to cut the lead to 3-2. With both Ferney and Loebnitz still on the court, Ferney rebounded from a 6-1 loss in the first set to clinch the win.
"I think we came out nervous today, but we competed really well," Ferney said. "Tomorrow, we will be energetic and ready to take on Iowa."
Illinois closes out the regular season on Sunday with a noon match with Iowa. It will be Fan Appreciation/Senior Day at Atkins.
Illinois 4,Wisconsin 3
Illinois is listed first
1. Eldina Fazlic d. April Gabler 6-2, 3-6, 6-1
2. Brooke Ferney d. Vanessa Rauh 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 **
3. Natascha Loebnitz lost to Shana McElroy 6-7, 6-4, 6-3
4. Carla Rosenberg d. Dena Baritot 6-4, 6-0
5. Natalia Manasova d. Katie Dougherty 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
6. Megan Wise d. Lara Vojnov 6-1, 6-0
1. Ferney/loebnitz lost to Gabler/Vojnov 9-7
2. Manasova/Rosenberg d. Linde Mues/Dougherty 8-3
3. Fazlic/Wise lost to Baritot/McElroy 8-6
Exhibition:
Michelle Webb d. Mindy Sheppard 6-0, 6-0
** clinching win
