March 27, 2002

The Illinois women's tennis team this afternoon took one last shot at victory in the month of March, but Notre Dame slipped past the Orange and Blue, 4-3, in South Bend. Despite the fact that it was the seventh setback in a row for the Fighting Illini, Head Coach Sujay Lama was very encouraged by his team's performance.

"I'm awfully proud of this group," he said. "They fought hard and battled throughout the match. Unfortunately we did not come away with a win. Our players had a great attitude and gave it all they had. I saw a lot of positives today, and if we can take those and build on them between now and our next match, we'll definitely be better."

One of the positives Lama saw was Illinois' win at No. 2 doubles. Jennifer McGaffigan and Eva Choe beat Notre Dame's Katie Cunha and Nina Vaughan, 8-6. The Illini surrendered the doubles point to the Irish when the hosts won at both the No. 1 and No. 3 spots.

Lama also was pleased with McGaffigan's performance in singles. The sophomore, ranked No. 54 in the nation, snapped a six-match losing streak and put away Notre Dame's ace, 75th-ranked Becky Varnum, in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1. Tiffany Eklov also pulled out a hard-fought win at No. 2, 6-4, 7-5 over Nina Vaughan. Junior Eldina Fazlic pulled out Illinois' other win, a 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 decision over Sarah Jane Connelly at No. 6.

The match came down to the No. 4 singles contest between Alicia Salas of the Fighting Irish and freshman Kate Boomershine of Illinois. Boomershine mounted a strong challenge in the second game, but Salas prevailed, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) to claim her 16th singles victory in 18 outings this season and clinch the contest for Notre Dame.

With the loss, Illinois falls to 7-11 on the season, while Notre Dame improves to 11-7. The Fighting Illini finally return to play their first home match since Feb. 24 when Iowa comes to the Atkins Tennis Center.

"It will be great to finally get to play at home. The road was very tough for us. Hopefully our home courts will give us a boost," said Lama.

Today's Illinois Results: No. 23 Notre Dame 4, Illinois 3

Singles
1. No. 54 Jennifer McGaffigan (ILL) def. No. 75 Becky Varnum (ND)      6-3, 6-1
2. No. 139 Tiffany Eklov (ILL) def. No. 118 Nina Vaughan (ND)          6-4, 7-5
3. Lindsey Green (ND) def. Eva Choe (ILL)                              6-0, 6-1
4. Alicia Salas (ND) def. Kate Boomershine (ILL)                       6-3, 7-6 (8-6)
5. Katie Cunha (ND) def. Cynthya Goulet (ILL)                          6-4, 6-4
6. Eldina Fazlic (ILL) def. Sarah Jane Connelly (ND)                   6-3, 1-6, 6-3

Doubles
1. No. 30 Lindsey Green/Becky Varnum (ND) def. Cynthya Goulet/Kate Boomershine (ILL) 8-3

2. Jennifer McGaffigan/Eva Choe (ILL) def. Katie Cunha/Nina Vaughan (ND) 8-6

3. Sarah Jane Connelly/Alicia Salas (ND) def. Michelle Webb/Eldina Fazlic 8-3