Feb. 1, 2002

The Illinois women's tennis team won easily, 7-0, over Western Michigan at the Atkins Tennis Center today. The Fighting Illini swept the singles matches and won two of three doubles matches in impressive fashion. Five singles victories came in straight-sets, while the other was won because of injury.

For the first time all year, the Orange and Blue had everyone healthy and ready to compete. Freshman Leila Cehajic made her dual-match debut today, teaming with sophomore Eva Choe at the No. 3 doubles spot. At No.1 doubles, the tandem of freshman Cynthya Goulet and sophomore Jennifer McGaffigan easily disposed of their opponents, 8-1. Junior Michelle Webb continued on her road back by combining with freshman Kate Boomershine at No. 2 doubles to produce an 8-1 rout of the opposition.

"It's a great feeling to have everyone back from injuries after being so thin earlier this year," said Assistant Coach JoAnne Russell. "Eldina was unbelievable today, she was a little rusty, but she gave a fantastic effort. Also, Michelle played one of the smartest doubles matches I have seen in a while, she played completely within herself."

In singles action, the Illini dominated the Broncos, winning five of six contests in straight-sets and one because of injury. Boomershine set the tone early, trouncing her foe 6-0, 6-2 at No. 4, while classmate Goulet, playing at No. 2, dispatched her opponent 6-2, 6-4. Also winning were McGaffigan, ranked 51st nationally, Choe, Fazlic, and sophomore Tiffany Eklov, at Nos. 1, 5, 6, and 3, respectively.

"We stress four major concepts," said Russell, "competition, preparation, teamwork, and fun. We expect our players to compete even when they are not at their best and we competed great today. Both the players and the coaches agree that our practices this week prepared us for this weekend's matches."

Russell continued, "Today's teamwork was excellent, to see the entire team cheering on the No.1 player after the match has been clinched is great. Today was fun and that is the key. If the players are not having fun, they will not compete, they must have fun, and today they did."

The victory improved the Illini to 3-1 on the dual-match season. Illinois' next match is Sunday, February 3 versus Colorado at the Atkins Tennis Center. The match is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. (CST).

TODAY'S RESULTS:

Singles:
1. No. 51 Jennifer McGaffigan (ILL) def. Frederika Girsang (WMU)	6-2, 7-6 (4)
2. Cynthya Goulet (ILL)	def. Melanie Remynse (WMU)			6-2, 6-4
3. Tiffany Eklov (ILL) def. Nikki Douglass (WMU)			0-6, 2-1 (ret.)
4. Kate Boomershine (ILL) def. Brookley Crews (WMU)			6-2, 6-0
5. Eva Choe (ILL) def. Valeria Stoilova (WMU)				6-2, 7-6 (2)
6. Eldina Fazlic (ILL) def. Stephanie Mueller (WMU)			6-4, 7-5

Doubles:

1. C. Goulet/J. McGaffigan (ILL) def. F. Girsang/M. Remynse (WMU) 8-1

2. M. Webb/K. Boomershine (ILL) def. N. Douglass/V. Stoilova (WMU) 8-1

3. B. Crews/S Mueller (WMU) def. E. Choe/L. Cehajic (ILL) 8-2