Feb. 28, 2004

It didn't take long for the Illinois women's tennis team to regain its confidence. After falling to fourth-ranked Washington yesterday, the Illini rebounded to defeat Western Michigan, 6-1, this afternoon at the UI Atkins Tennis Center. The shorthanded Broncos were forced to forfeit one doubles match and one singles contest due to player injury and illness. With the win today, the Orange and Blue improves to 5-2 on the season.

"We didn't allow the word 'letdown' enter our minds," said Volunteer Assistant Coach Adam Chervin. "I think that shows the character of this team. There was no doubt in my mind that they were going to come out and play hard today. That's just who they are."

In doubles action, the Illini started off strong, sweeping the two matches that were contested. Jennifer McGaffigan and Cynthya Goulet returned to their winning ways by scoring a 8-4 victory over Frederika Girsang and Malena Remynse. They were followed by Emily Wang and Brianna Knue, who won their second straight doubles match, an impressive 8-2 victory over Carrie Jeanmaire and Maelynn Bernosky.

The Fighting Illini started off singles play with a 2-0 advantage over the Broncos because the visitors were forced to forfeit one of the singles matches. Senior Tiffany Eklov tallied the third point for the Orange and Blue as she won, 6-0, 6-2, over Reedhina Parekh at the No. 2 spot. Isabel Jarosz clinched the match for the Illini with a 6-2, 6-1, victory over Carrie Jeanmaire at No. 3.. Then Goulet fell at No. 4, 6-0, 7-5, to Malena Remynse. But Wang recorded Illinois' fifth point with her second straight win by defeating Maelynn Bernosky, 6-3, 6-2 , in the No. 5 match.

"I think it gave me a lot of good momentum," said Wang. "I think that having a tough match yesterday and having to fight it out prepared me for today."

It was McGaffigan who picked up the last point for the Illini after winning a 6-7, 6-2, (10-6) super-tiebreaker victory in a three-hour battle with Frederika Girsang at No. 1.

"It's always nice to get a win," said McGaffigan. "I thought she was a really good player. She plays similar to me, so it was just really close the whole way through."

The next action for Illinois will be this Thursday, March 4th at 3:30 p.m.; the team will travel to Notre Dame to take on the Fighting Irish.

SATURDAY'S RESULTS:
at Illinois 6, Western Michigan 1

SINGLES:
1  #7 Jennifer McGaffigan/Cynthya Goulet (ILL) def. Frederika Girsang/Malena Remynse (WMU) 8-4
2  Emily Wang/ Brianna Knue (ILL) def. Carrie Jeanmaire/ Maelynn Bernosky (WMU)            8-2
3  WMU forfeited

DOUBLES: 1 #14 Jennifer McGaffigan (ILL) def. Frederika Girsang (WMU) 6-7, 6-2, (10-6) 2 Tiffany Eklov (ILL) def. Reedhina Parekh (WMU) 6-0, 6-2 3 Isabel Jarosz (ILL) def. Carrie Jeanmaire (WMU) 6-2, 6-1 4 Malena Remynse (WMU) def. Cynthya Goulet (ILL) 6-0, 7-5 5 Emily Wang (ILL) def. Maelynn Bernosky (WMU) 6-3, 6-2 6 WMU forfeited