March 23, 2002

The Illini were hoping their first outdoor match of the season might be just what the doctor ordered. It didn't turn out that way, as 30th-ranked Arizona handed Illinois its sixth loss in a row, 5-2, in Tucson Saturday afternoon.

Sophomores Jennifer McGaffigan and Eva Choe teamed up at No. 1 doubles, and gave 13th-ranked Maja Mlakar and Debbe Larocque all they could handle before falling, 9-7. UI Coach Sujay Lama tried a couple of new doubles teams at Nos. 2 and 3 today, but they didn't fare as well. Freshman Kate Boomershine and junior Eldina Fazlic lost, 8-1, to Laresa Marino and Marie-Pier Pouliot, while junior Liz Fraker and freshman Cynthya Goulet were defeated by Dianne Hollands and Brooke Taylor, 8-5. Today's match was Goulet's first appearance after two matches off while battling a hamstring problem.

The Wildcats, with the doubles point in hand, didn't let up. They won at Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 5, all in straight sets. Boomershine did manage a 6-2, 7-6 win over Perrine Pernin at No. 4, and Fazlic scored with a 6-2, 6-3 decision over Daniela Torrez in the No. 6 match.

Arizona advanced its season record to 8-6. The Fighting Illini slipped to 7-10 on the season after losing all six of their matches during the month of March, all of which have been on the road. The Orange and Blue will attempt to salvage a March victory when they close out the month and their non-conference schedule with a 3:30 p.m. match Wednesday at Notre Dame. The Illini resume Big Ten action April 6 when the Iowa Hawkeyes visit the Atkins Tennis Center.

TODAY'S RESULTS: No. 30 Arizona 5, No. 65 Illinois 2

Singles
1. No. 20 Maja Mlakar (ARIZ) def. No. 54 Jennifer McGaffigan (ILL)   7-5, 6-1
2. No. 94 Debbe Larocque (ARIZ) def. Tiffany Eklov (ILL)             6-2, 6-1
3. No. 92 Dianne Hollands (ARIZ) def. Eva Choe (ILL)                 6-3, 6-1
4. Kate Boomershine (ILL) def. Perrine Pernin (ARIZ)                 6-2, 7-6
5. Marie-Pier Pouliot (ARIZ) def. Cynthya Goulet (ILL)               7-5, 6-1
6. Eldina Fazlic (ILL) def. Daniela Torres (ARIZ)                    6-2, 6-3

Doubles
1. No. 13 Maja Mlakar/Debbe Larocque (ARIZ def. Jennifer McGaffigan/Eva Choe (ILL)    9-7
2. Laresa Marino/Marie-Pier Pouliot (ARIZ) def. Kate Boomershine/Eldina Fazlic (ILL)  8-1
3. Dianne Hollands/Brooke Taylor (ARIZ) def. Cynthya Goulet/Liz Fraker (ILL)          8-5