April 10, 2002

Illinois' women's tennis team closes out the home portion of its spring schedule this weekend with matches versus No. 73 Minnesota on Saturday and No. 37 Wisconsin on Sunday. The 67th-ranked Fighting Illini, at 8-10 overall and 3-3 in conference are coming off a 4-3 victory over Iowa last Saturday. Minnesota (6-12, 1-6) comes into the match having just picked up its first Big Ten victory over then No. 41 Indiana. Wisconsin enters the match at 13-5 in the Big Ten and 6-1 overall, its last match being a 4-3 win over No. 47 Purdue.

"Both these teams are very good," said head coach Sujay Lama. "Wisconsin is having a very good year and Minnesota is coming off a solid win over Indiana. This is what the Big Ten is all about, there are no easy matches and we have to prepare like we are playing the best team every time out."

Valerie Vladea, ranked 123rd nationally, leads Minnesota in singles at No. 1, while the duo of Vladea and Michaela Havelkova lead the Gophers in doubles, posting a 4-3 mark in league play. Also Vladea has won her last five matches at the No. 1 spot.

The Badgers are led in singles by 116th ranked Vanessa Rauh and Shana McElroy and Katie McGaffigan who both have 13-5 records in singles play. The freshman tandem of McGaffigan and Lindsay Martin lead Wisconsin in doubles with a 13-1 overall record and 6-0 in Big Ten play. McGaffigan is the younger sister of Illini sophomore Jennifer McGaffigan.

Illinois is led by Jennifer McGaffigan, ranked 55th nationally and winner of her last two and junior Eldina Fazlic who has won three in a row and is 11-4 overall. In doubles, the sophomore team of McGaffigan and Eva Choe lead the Illini at 6-6 overall and 3-1 in Big Ten play.

"I am so pleased with the way we played last week," Lama continued. "It really helps to be at home and we are finally coming together as a team. We have gained some momentum recently and our confidence has steadily improved. It is not right where we need it, but it is close."

Both matches are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. CST at the Atkins Tennis Center in Urbana.