April 14, 2001
The Fighting Illini traveled to Madison, Wis. and soundly defeated Wisconsin, 6-1, in a Big Ten dual tennis match today. With the victory, Coach Sujay Lama's squad moves to 12-6 on the season and 6-1 in the conference.
The tandem of sophomore Michelle Webb and senior Simone Kung led the Orange and Blue in doubles play. They defeated Wisconsin's April Gabler and Katie Dougherty at No. 1. Senior Carla Rosenberg and freshman Eva Choe breezed to an 8-4 win at No. 2, as did the No. 3 duo of sophomore Eldina Fazlic and freshman Jennifer McGaffigan.
Having won the doubles point, Illinois had only to win three singles contests to take the match. But the Illini took all but one. Kung at No. 3 and Webb at No. 6 won impressively. Both won in straight sets: Kung, 6-3, 6-2, and Webb, 6-4, 6-0. On Court 4, freshman Tiffany Eklov lost her first set, 6-4, but came back to blitz her opponent, 6-0, 6-1 in the second and third sets. At No. 1, McGaffigan won, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. Fazlic's 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 triumph over Vanessa Rauh completed the rout.
"We knew we were better thatn the were," said Kung. "We wanted to take their confidence from them right away. We came in and got the job done."
Said Lama, "We played very well and with lots of confidence. Right now we are building good momentum heading into the post-season.
"The doubles teams are playing their best, and this is a good time to start doing that. We are a difficult team to stop when we win the doubles point. There are seven warriors out there who are playing very well together and having fun. We are pleased with where we are."
"The doubles teams compliment each other really well," Kung added. "Each team has good chemistry, and the playing styles work together. We believe we cah win every doubles point from now on."
The Illini conclude their northern swing with a match tomorrow at Minnesota. They wind up the regular season with a pair of home matches next weekend with Penn State and Ohio State.
No. 36 ILLINOIS 6 at Wisconsin 1
SINGLES
1. No. 98 Jennifer McGaffigan (ILL) def. April Gabler (WIS) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
2. Eldina Fazlic (ILL) def. Vanessa Rauh (WIS) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2
3. Simone Kung (ILL) def. Katie Dougherty (WIS) 6-3, 6-2
4. Tiffany Eklov (ILL) def. Linde Mues (WIS) 4-6, 6-0, 6-1
5. Lara Vojnov (UW) def. Eva Choe (ILL) 6-4, 6-4
6. Michelle Webb (ILL) def. Teresa Gonzaga (WIS) 6-4, 6-0
DOUBLES
1. Simone Kung/Michelle Webb (ILL) def. April Gabler/Katie Dougherty 8-2
2. Carla Rosenberg/Eva Choe (ILL) def. Lara Vojnov/Teresa Gonzaga (WIS) 8-4
3. Jennifer McGaffigan/Eldina Fazlic (ILL) def. Linde Mues/Vanessa Rauh (WIS) 8-4
