Nov. 9, 2003

Complete Midwest Blast Results

The Illinois' women's tennis team concluded the third and final day of competition in the fifth annual Midwest Blast being held at the UI Atkins Tennis Center this afternoon.

The Orange and Blue began the day with doubles matches against competitors from Miami. The Illini were able to win one of their three matches. Tiffany Eklov and Isabel Jarosz picked up the only UI doubles win. Eklov and Jarosz went 3-0 in doubles play this weekend, winning the only doubles match for the Illini on each day of competition.

"The dual format was good because it gave us a chance to see what our lineup might look like for the spring," said Head Coach Sujay Lama. "Also, with Jenny (McGaffigan) not playing (due to competing in the National Indoors), all the ladies had to play up a level. So some good came out of that. We now need to figure out our third doubles team, and there will be some serious competition for that last spot in the singles lineup. Once we put those pieces together, we are going to be a heck of a team."

The Illini were able to split their six singles matches this afternoon with Notre Dame. Illinois' winners were Cynthya Goulet, Pavlina Akritas and Tiffany Eklov.

"It was a great to finish the tournament with a win," said Akritas. " Especially after I lost my first set, I was happy I was able to come back. This was really good preparation for the spring, because this tournament made us play more like a team. We were all cheering and supporting each other, and that definitely helps your confidence when you're in a close match."

The end of the Midwest Blast marks the end of the fall season for the Fighting Illini. The next scheduled action is the USTA Challenger scheduled for Jan. 18th in Miami, Fla. The home opener for the spring season is scheduled for Jan. 25th against Marquette.

SUNDAY'S ILLINOIS RESULTS:

Singles:
Emily Neighbours (ND) def. Leila Cehajic (ILL)          6-7, 7-5, (10-8)
Tiffany Eklov (ILL) def. Christian Thompson (ND)        4-6, 6-2, 6-3
Catrina Thompson (ND) def. Isabel Jarosz (ILL)          6-3, 6-1
Cynthya Goulet (ILL) def. Kristina Stastny (ND)         6-4, 6-2
Sarah Jane Connolly (ND) def. Brianna Knue (ILL)        6-1, 7-6 (10-9)
Kelly Nelson (ND) def. Emily Wang (ILL)                 6-4, 6-7, 2-6
Pavlina Akritas (ILL) def. Liz Donohue (ND)             4-6, 7-5, 6-3

Doubles: Isabel Jarosz/Tiffany Eklov (ILL) def. Natalie Mikolich / Melissa Applebaum (MIA) 8-5 Staci Stevens / Sihem Bennacer (MIA) def. Eva Choe/Brianna Knue (ILL) 8-2 Mari Toro / Audrey Banada (MIA) def. Leila Cehajic/Emily Wang (ILL) 8-2