Feb. 1, 2004
Illinois' women's tennis team was dealt its first loss of the season, falling 5-2 to No. 23 Tennessee, Sunday in Knoxville, Tenn. Seniors Jennifer McGaffigan and Tiffany Eklov each picked up singles victories and McGaffigan and junior Cynthya Goulet picked up a win at No. 1 doubles.
"The bottom line is we had many opportunities, but we couldn't capitalize," said head coach Sujay Lama. "I told the team that I hope this one hurts and hopefully we can use this to learn and it'll help us in the long run."
At. No. 1 doubles, McGaffigan and Goulet, No. 10 nationally, beat Tammy Encina and Melissa Schaub 8-3 for the Fighting Illini's only doubles triumph.
Lama continued, "We had ample opportunities to close out matches and we didn't. We were up 5-1 at No. 2 doubles and 6-3 at No. 3 and instead of playing to win, we played not to lose. We didn't execute and Tennessee did. When you have chances to win on the road, you have to take advantage of them, and we didn't do it."
McGaffigan and Eklov picked up the Illini's points with singles victories. At No. 1, McGaffigan, ranked 22nd nationally, overwhelmed No. 13 Tammy Encina, winning in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3, while Eklov scored an upset at No.2, defeating No. 86 Sabita Maharaj 6-2, 3-6, 6-0.
"The positive was the play of Jenny and Tiffany," Lama said. "They showed their maturity, showed they've been through these battles before. The poise they displayed is what we want the rest of the team to emulate."
The Illini are off until Saturday, Feb. 14th when they return to the Atkins Tennis Center to host Harvard. The match is scheduled to begin at noon CST.
TODAY'S ILLINOIS RESULTS:
Singles:
1. No. 22 Jennifer McGaffigan (ILL) def. No. 13 Tammy Encina (TEN) 7-5, 6-3
2. Tiffany Eklov (ILL) def. No. 86 Sabita Maharaj (TEN) 6-2, 3-6, 6-0
3. No. 96 Ashley Robards (TEN) def. Cynthya Goulet (ILL) 4-6, 7-5, 6-3
4. Blakeley Griffith (TEN) def. Isabel Jarosz (ILL) 6-2, 7-5
5. Victoria Jones (TEN) def. Brianna Knue (ILL) 6-2, 6-1
6. Melissa Schaub (TEN) def. Emily Wang (ILL) 3-6, 6-1, 10-5
Doubles: 1. No. 10 McGaffigan/Goulet (ILL) def. Encina/Schaub (TEN) 8-3 2. Maharaj/Robards (TEN) def. Eklov/Jarosz (ILL) 8-5 3. Megan Imminik/Breanna Krey (TEN) def. Wang/Knue (ILL) 8-6
