May 13, 2001
The 29th ranked Illinois women's tennis team fell short today in its bid to become the first ever Sweet Sixteen team in the program history. The Illini were defeated 4-0 by Washington in the second round of NCAA tournament action today in Seattle, Washington. Even with the loss, this year's team became the only women's tennis team to advance past the NCAA first round.
In doubles action, the Illini lost the doubles point for the first time in six matches. At No.3, Washington's tandem of Erin Boisclair and Erin Hoe defeated sophomore Eldina Fazlic and freshman Jennifer McGaffigan, 8-4. The loss snapped a nine-match win streak for the Illinois duo. On court 1, the Huskies?EKristina Kraszewski and Darija Klaic, ranked 10th nationally in doubles, beat sophomore Michelle Webb and senior Simone Kung, 8-4. The match at No. 2 was suspended tied at 6.
In singles action, McGaffigan and Fazlic were defeated in straight-sets, at No. 1 and 2 respectively. McGaffigan lost to 11th ranked Kraszewski, 6-2, 6-3, while Fazlic fell, 6-0, 6-0 to Claire Carter, ranked 43rd nationally. At No. 3, Kung's match was suspended with her leading, 7-5, 1-1 and on court 6, fellow senior Carla Rosenberg was winning 7-5, 3-3 when her match was suspended. Also, on court 5, Webb had won the first set 6-3, lost the second, 2-6, and was leading the third 2-1. The match-clincher came at court 4, where freshman Eva Choe was beaten 6-1, 6-3 by Boisclair.
"Hats off to Washington, they competed well. They played doubles very well and had the momentum going into singles,?EHead Coach Sujay Lama said.
He continued, "It is a sad way to end the season, we wanted to end in Atlanta, but we have taken wonderful steps this year, there will be a lot to look back on and be proud of. This year has been a wonderful experience for the team as well as the coaches. It has been so much fun.?E Added Rosenberg, "This has been a great way to end my career, this has been one of the best teams I have been a part of, collectively we have done things no other Illinois team managed to accomplish.?E Kung agreed, "This has been a lot of fun, Carla and I were part of something special. Everyone on this team gave everything they had and played for the team.?E
About his seniors, Lama said, "I am very proud of Simone and Carla and I will miss them tremendously. They've really grown in the last three years and they are the reason the program is where it is. They will should look back and really feel good about their role in bringing Illinois women's tennis to new heights.?E
NCAA Tournament Second Round: No. 12 Washington 4, No. 29 Illinois 0
SINGLES
1. No. 11 Kristina Kraszewski (UW) def. Jennifer McGaffigan (ILL) 6-2, 6-3
2. No. 43 Claire Carter (UW) def. Eldina Fazlic (ILL) 6-0, 6-0
3. Simone Kung (ILL) vs. Ilona Kordonskaya (UW) Susp. @ 7-5, 1-0
4. Erin Boisclair (UW) def. Eva Choe (ILL) 6-1. 6-3*
5. Michelle Webb (ILL) vs. #92 Darija Klaic (UW) 6-3, 2-6, 2-1
6. Carla Rosenberg (ILL) vs. Colleen Gray (UW) 7-5, 3-3
DOUBLES
1. Klaic/Kraszewski (UW) def. Michelle Webb/Simone Kung (ILL) 8-4
2. Carla Rosenberg/Eva Choe (UI) def. Carter/Kordonskaya (UW) susp. @ 6-6
3. Hoe/Boisclair (UW) def. Jennifer McGaffigan/Eldina Fazlic (UI) 8-4
