March 13, 2004

The Fighting Illini women's tennis team continued its winning ways this evening. After defeating the University of Illinois-Chicago in the first part of today's double-header, the Illini went on to hand DePaul a 7-0 loss in the second match of the day. The Illini improved their record to 8-3 with today's victories.

"DePaul was a lot deeper than they have been in the past," said Assistant Coach JoAnne Russell. "This was kind of a long match for a 7-0 win. I wanted us to be dominating, though; it doesn't matter to me how long the match takes. Every week other teams read the scores, and you don't want to beat a team,4-3,when you should be beating them 6-1 or 7-0."

The Illini started off strong by going 2-1 in doubles to take a 1-0 lead. No. 11 Jennifer McGaffigan and Cynthya Goulet picked up the Illini's first win at the No. 1 position by defeating Marina Parashkevova and Petra Rehusova, 8-3. Brianna Knue and Emily Wang clinched the doubles point when they picked up an 8-3 victory over Gergana Ganeva and Brenda Leung at the No. 3 spot. The only loss for the Orange and Blue came at the No. 2 position, where Tiffany Eklov and Isabel Jarosz battled back to an 8-8 tie with Karen Falduto and Natalie Matko before falling, 9-8(8).

Illinois showed its talent in singles play, winning all six matches. At the No. 1 position, McGaffigan, ranked No. 33, convincingly defeated Parashkevova, 6-1, 6-1. Eklov picked up a decisive 6-1, 6-2 victory over Ganeva at the No. 2 spot. Sophomore Pavlina Akritas won her second match of the day, an impressive 6-1, 6-2 decision over Rehusova at No. 6.

"Pavlina won her position by showing us what she can do in the first match (today) against UIC," said Russell. "She is a walk-on, and she is the one that every day works as hard if not harder than everyone else. She is just a worker and she wants to play. I'm really proud of her."

Goulet was next to finish with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Leung at the No. 4 position. In the No. 5 match, Knue was victorious, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, over Falduto. Last to finish was Jarosz, who dropped her first set before battling back to claim a 6-7, 7-6, (10-9) victory over Matko at No. 4.

Illinois' next match will take place on its spring break trip; the team will compete March 24th in Tampa, Fla. against South Florida.

SATURDAY EVENING RESULTS

at No. 22 Illinois 7, DePaul 0

DOUBLES:
1. #11 Jennifer McGaffigan/Cynthya Goulet (ILL) def. Marina Parashkevova/Petra Rehusova (DEP)  8-3
2. Natalie Matko/Karen Falduto (DEP) def. Tiffany Eklov/Isabel Jarosz (ILL)                    9-8(8)
3. Emily Wang/Brianna Knue (ILL) def. Gergana Ganeva/Brenda Leung (DEP)                       8-3

SINGLES: 1. #33 Jennifer McGaffigan (ILL) def. Marina Parashkevova (DEP) 6-1, 6-1 2. Tiffany Eklov (ILL) def. Gergana Ganeva (DEP) 6-1, 6-2 3. Isabel Jarosz (ILL) def. Natalie Matko (DEP) 6-7, 7-6, (10-9) 4. Cynthya Goulet (ILL) def. Brenda Leung (DEP) 7-5, 6-4 5. Brianna Knue (ILL def. Karen Falduto (DEP) 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 6. Pavlina Akritas (ILL) def. Petra Rehusova (DEP) 6-1, 6-2