Oct. 3, 2003

The Illini women's tennis team ended its first day of competition in the San Diego Invitational advancing six players to the quarterfinals of their respective flights and three doubles teams to the quarterfinals of the doubles flights.

Illinois led the way in the singles flights by advancing the most players of any of the other four schools in the tournament. In Flight "A", senior Jennifer McGaffigan continued her winning ways with a straight-set victory over her opponent from the University of San Diego. Senior Tiffany Eklov dropped a close match with her foe from San Diego State during the opening round. After splitting the first two sets, Eklov dropped a close third set. In Flight "B," both Fighting Illini competitors advanced to tomorrow's quarterfinals. Junior Cynthya Goulet and freshman Isabel Jarosz both won in straight sets today. In Flight "C," sophomore Brianna Knue dominated her first match against her San Diego State opponent, but junior Leila Cehajic dropped her opening contest against her competitor from Pepperdine. In Flight "D," freshman Emily Wang defeated her opponent from the University of San Diego.

The Illini also dominated the competition in doubles, advancing three of their four teams to tomorrow's rounds. In Flight "A," #31 McGaffigan and Goulet won their match over a pair from San Diego State and Jarosz and Eklov beat their Aztec competitors as well. In Flight "B," Knue and Wang were handed Illinois' only doubles losses as they were defeated by their foes from Pepperdine. Akritas and Cehajic will be in tomorrow's semifinal in Flight "B". After having a first-round bye, they beat their opposition from Arkansas.

Coach Sujay Lama was satisfied with his team's first day performance. "We started kind of flat," he said. "I think that it was the product of jet lag and also the early morning. Overall, I think they finished the day pretty strong. We are looking forward to really kicking it up tomorrow and really going out there and being strong. We'll see how the kids react to the second day. I think they will be more rested and more adjusted to the time change."

The competition Saturday will begin with the Singles Flight "C" and "D" semifinals at 11:00 a.m. CT. Flights "A" and "B" will begin their semifinals rounds at 12:30 p.m. CDT. The semifinal rounds for both of the Doubles Flights will begin at 3 p.m. CT.

FRIDAY'S ILLINOIS RESULTS:

Singles:
#44 Jennifer McGaffigan (ILL) def. #82 Lauren Perl (SDSU)      6-4, 6-2
Dita Hauerlandova (SDSU) def. #57 Tiffany Eklov (ILL)          6-3, 6-7, 6-2
Isabel Jarosz (ILL) def. Megan Ferreira (Arkansas)             6-4, 6-2
Lise Sissler (Pepperdine) def. Leila Cehajic (ILL)             6-2, 6-1
Cynthya Goulet (ILL) def. Patricia Graf (SDSU)                 6-3, 6-0
Pavlina Akritas (ILL) def. Jenny Brown (USD)                   6-1, 7-5
Brianna Knue (ILL) def. Alesya Vidov (SDSU)                    6-2, 6-0
Emily Wang (ILL) def. Jenna Anderson (USD)                     6-4, 6-3

Doubles: Alesya Vidov (SDSU)/Lise Sissler (Pepperdine) def. Brianna Knue/Emily Wang (ILL) 8-5 #31 Jennifer McGaffigan/ Cynthya Goulet (ILL) def. Emma Murphy/Tara Livesay (SDSU) 8-6 Tiffany Eklov/Isabel Jarosz (ILL) def. Patricia Graf/Dita Hauerlandova (SDSU) 8-6 Pavlina Akritas/Leila Cehajic (ILL) def. Illiana Pacheo/ M. Dybicz (Arkansas) 8-6