Feb. 27, 2004
The 18th-ranked Illinois women's tennis team used a dramatic comeback win in doubles to take an early lead, but the hosts couldn't hold on, as they dropped a 5-2 decision to No. 4 Washington at the UI Atkins Tennis Center this afternoon.
The point-clinching doubles match came at No. 3, where Emily Wang and Brianna Knue fell behind, 4-0, only to come back to tie the score at six and eventually win via a tie-breaker, 9-8 (1). Earlier, Jennifer McGaffigan and Cynhtya Goulet were dealt their first loss of the dual-match season as they fell, 8-3, to No. 19 Claire Carter and Dea Sumantri Tiffany Eklov and Isabel Jarosz won their No. 2 match over Huskies Dinka Hadzic and Saskia Nauenberg, 8-6.
"I am so proud of this team," said Head Coach Sujay Lama. "They battled and didn't give an inch. It could have gone either way today; we had our chances. Give credit to Washington. They played some big points really well."
Although Knue would have been more pleased with a team victory today, she acknowledged that her doubles win with Wang was a positive.
"The last couple of matches we haven't been executing on big points," she said.. "It is always tough on your confidence when you are right there and don't execute. Today we came together as a team."
In singles action, the Illini started off a little slow as the No. 14-ranked McGaffigan suffered her second straight setback as she fell to No. 23 Dea Sumantri, 6-2, 6-1. Eklov's five-match winning streak was ended today as she lost her first singles contest this spring to No. 25 Claire Carter, 7-6(3), 3-6, (10-7). The only singles win the Orange and could manage came at the No. 6 spot, where Wang defeated Monika Kolbovic in a super-tiebreaker, 6-2, 6 (5)-7, (10-8).
"Emily has really worked very hard, and I am so happy she had a breakthrough today," said Lama. "I knew it was only a matter of time that she would be very tough to beat. This win will definitely give her a lot of confidence."
The Illini are in action again tomorrow as they take on Western Michigan at 11 a.m. at the Atkins Tennis Center.
FRIDAY'S RESULTS: Washington 5, Illinois 2
SINGLES:
1. #23 Dea Sumantri (WASH) def. #14 Jennifer McGaffigan (ILL) 6-2, 6-1
2. #25 Claire Carter (WASH) def. Tiffany Eklov (ILL) 6(3)-7, 6-3, (10-7)
3. Erin Hoe (WASH) def. Isabel Jarosz (ILL) 6-1, 6-2
4. Dinka Hadzic (WASH) def. Cynthya Goulet (ILL) 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
5. Saskia Nauenberg (WASH) def. Brianna Knue (ILL) 6-3, 6-3
6. Emily Wang (ILL) def. Monika Kolbovic (WASH) 6-2, 6(5)-7, (10-8)
DOUBLES:
1 #19 Clair Carter/Dea Sumantri (WASH) def. #7 Jennifer McGaffigan/Cynthya Goulet (ILL) 8-3
2 Tiffany Eklov/Isabel Jarosz (ILL) def. Dinka Hadzic/Saskia Nauenberg (WASH) 8-6
3 Emily Wang/Brianna Knue (ILL) def. Erin Hoe/Monika Kolbovic (WASH) 9-8(1)
