April 11, 2004
The 17th ranked Fighting Illini women's tennis team had to rely on it singles play to down the 38th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio earlier today. The Illini dropped the doubles point for the second day in a row, but rallied in singles play to claim the victory. With the victory, their ninth in a row, the Illini improve to 15-3 overall and 6-1 in the Big Ten. Ohio State falls to 8-10 on the season, 3-3 in the conference.
"We have an amazing group of players. They have a never-say-die attitude; they really compete well," said UI Head Coach Sujay Lama after his team's fourth consecutive 4-3 win. "This is a brutal trip (to Penn State and Ohio State), as tough as you could have in one weekend. We were down, 1-0, after doubles on both days. Our players are so determined to get it done for each other. Our senior leadership has made a huge difference this season. I'm very proud of them and the whole team."
Tenth-ranked Jennifer McGaffigan and Cynthya Goulet managed Illinois' only doubles victory; they beat Erica Fisk and Jackie Leskova, 8-4, in the match at No. 1 to move their season record to 26-6. In the No. 2 match, Tiffany Eklov and Isabel Jarosz fell to Meaghan Colville and Lindsay Williams, 8-3. Brianna Knue and Emily Wang dropped the No. 3 contest to Lindsey Adams and Emily DeCamilla by the same score.
Singles action was a different story. No. 34 McGaffigan topped Williams, 6-1, 7-5 at the No. 1 spot to tie the score and boost her 2003-04 singles mark to 26-8. Eklov bested Fisk, 6-1, 6-4 at the No. 2 position. It was the UI senior's 18th win in her last 20 singles matches. At the No. 5 spot, Knue got past Lindsey Adams, 7-6, 6-1. Goulet clinched the match for the Illini with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 win over Jackie Leskova at No. 3; it was her 10th consecutive triumph. Isabel Jarosz lost 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 to Emily DeCamilla in the No. 4 contest. And since the match had already been decided and he did not want to risk injury to Eva Choe, Lama pulled the senior from the match during the third set. Her opponent, Kristin Messmer was awarded the win at No. 6.
"This was a very tough weekend for us, but all Big Ten matches are tough," said Choe. They all come after you--it's very competitive. We're very happy to get these two wins."
"We're very excited and very tired," said Lama. "We'll give them the day off tomorrow, and start on Tuesday in preparation for Michigan and Michigan State."
The Illini, who are alone in first place in the Big Ten, a half-match in front of Indiana and Northwestern, will be back in action next weekend with home matches against the Wolverines and the Spartans, respectively.
TODAY'S RESULTS:
No. 17 Illinois 4 at No. 38 Ohio State 3
SINGLES
1. #34 Jennifer McGaffigan (ILL) def. #98 Lindsay Williams OSU) 6-1, 7-5
2. Tiffany Eklov (ILL) def. Erica Fisk (OSU) 6-1, 6-4
3. Cynthya Goulet (ILL) def. Jackie Leskovar (OSU) 6-4, 2-6, 6-2
4. Emily DeCamilla (OSU) def. Isabel Jarosz (ILL) 6-4, 2-6, 6-2
5. Brianna Knue (ILL) def. Lindsey Adams (OSU) 7-6, 6-1
6. Kristin Messmer (OSU) def. Eva Choe (ILL) 7-5, 3-6, def.
DOUBLES 1. #10 Jennifer McGaffigan/Cynthya Goulet (ILL) def. Erica Fisk/Jackie Leskovar (OSU) 8-4 2. Meaghan Colville/Lindsay Williams (OSU) def. Tiffany Eklov/Isabel Jarosz (ILL) 8-3 3. Lindsey Adams/Emily DeCamilla (OSU) def. Brianna Knue/Emily Wang (ILL) 8-3
