Feb. 17, 2001
Coach Sujay Lama felt that his Illinois women's tennis team played well against No. 22 North Carolina at Atkins Tennis Center Saturday afternoon, but could not pull out the win. The visiting Tar Heels handed Illinois its second loss of the dual-match season, 5-2.
In singles action, freshman Tiffany Eklov ran her record in dual matches to 6-0 after her victory 6-3, 6-3 over 82nd-ranked Kendrick Bunn of Carolina. Also winning was fellow freshman Eva Choe, in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4 over the Heels' Courtney Zalinski. Other Fighting Illini played tough, but could not come away with the win. Freshman Jennifer McGaffigan fell to 13th-ranked Marlene Mejia, 6-1, 6-4, and sophomore Michelle Webb had her winning streak halted at six after a loss to Elina Bairos, 6-4, 6-4. The 27th-ranked Illini went 1-2 in doubles today, with seniors Carla Rosenberg and Simone Kung beating Mejia and Bairos, 8-5.
"I was very pleased with our effort today, especially the way we fought--it was a great match" said Head Coach Sujay Lama, "but today the better team won.
"We are a young team, and we will be able to learn from today's match," said Lama. "I'm not surprised by the way our freshman are playing right now because I feel we have one of the top recruiting classes in the country. I'm excited about the future of Illinois women's tennis. It is very bright.
"We have nothing to be ashamed of. We have gotten off to a great start and our only losses have been against top-25 programs," Lama continued. "We should have a great week of practice and look forward to next weekend."
Illinois travels to Michigan and Michigan State Feb. 24 and 25, respectively, as they open the 2001 Big Ten schedule.
Today's Illinois results:
SINGLES
1. Marlene Mejia (UNC) def. Jennifer McGaffigan (ILL) 6-1, 6-4
2. Kate Pinchbeck (UNC) def. Simone Kung (ILL) 6-2, 6-2*
3. Tiffany Eklov (ILL) def. Kendrick Bunn (UNC) 6-3, 6-3
4. Kristin Koenig (UNC) def. Carla Rosenberg (ILL) 6-0, 6-3
5. Elina Bairos (UNC) def. Michelle Webb (ILL) 6-4, 6-4
6. Eva Choe (ILL) def. Courtney Zalinski (UNC) 6-2, 6-4
DOUBLES 1. Kendrick Bunn/Kate Pinchbeck def. Jennifer McGaffigan/Michelle Webb (ILL) 8-3 2. Carla Rosenberg/Simone Kung (ILL) def. Marlene Mejia/Elina Bairos (UNC) 8-5 3. Erin Niebling/Courtney Zalinski (UNC) def. Eva Choe/Eldina Fazlic (ILL) 8-6
* match-clinching victory
