April 17, 2004

The 17th-ranked Fighting Illini women's tennis team started out strong and finished with a convincing 5-2 win over the 27th-ranked Wolverines of Michigan today at UI Atkins Tennis Center. The Illini took a 1-0 lead with wins in two of the three doubles matches before going on to claim four of the six singles contests. With today's triumph, the Illini improve to 16-3 overall and 7-1 (first place) in the Big Ten.

"I am really proud of how ready our team was today," said UI Head Coach Sujay Lama. "You never know who is going to show up, but today our entire team showed up. Our two and three doubles teams that have been struggling in the last couple matches--they stepped up today. The last four singles positions stepped up and our one and two spots battled. We just have a group that competes and finds ways to win."

In doubles action, Emily Wang and Brianna Knue topped Elizabeth Exon and Kavitha Tipirneni, 8-4, at the No. 3 spot. Tiffany Eklov and Isabel Jarosz beat the 46th-ranked team of Kim Plaushines and Debra Streifler, 8-3, at the No. 2 position. Tenth-ranked Jennifer McGaffigan and Cynthya Goulet fell, 8-2, to Michelle DaCosta and Kara Delicata; it was only the seventh time all season (vs. 26 wins) that the UI duo has been tripped up.

Illinois wasted no time in padding its lead. At No. 3 singles, Goulet disposed of Kavitha Tipirneni 6-2, 6-3, to give the Orange and Blue a 2-0 lead. Jarosz won her No. 4 match against Chrissie Nolan, 6-4, 6-1 Senior Eva Choe clinched the match for the Illini as she beat Debra Streifler 7-6(6), 6-4 at the No. 6 spot. Just moments later, Knue finished off Leanne Rutherford, 6-3, 6-3. McGaffigan, ranked No. 34, is still two wins shy of the top of the Illinois all-time career singles wins list as she lost in a knock-down, drag-out battle at No. 1 to 96th-ranked Michelle DaCosta, 6-2, 4-6, (11-9). Eklov also fell short in her comeback bid in the No. 2 match, losing, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, to No. 89 Elizabeth Exon

"We have great senior leadership," said Lama. "Not all the time is it about winning the match. If you know you have leaders that are going to battle until the end whether they win or lose. The entire team, especial the younger player, feed off that.

"Today was really exciting," said McGaffigan. "We love playing at home, and the turnout was great today. The fans give us a lot of energy. This was a huge match for us, and I am glad we got the win."

The Illini will be back in action tomorrow as they close out the home season with a match against Michigan State (11 a.m. CDT) There will be a pre-match ceremony recognizing Illinois three outgoing seniors, McGaffigan, Choe and Eklov.

TODAY'S RESULTS:
at No. 17 Illinois 5, No. 27 Michigan 2

DOUBLES:
1. Michelle DaCosta/Kara Delicata (MICH) def. #9 Jennifer McGaffigan/Cynthya Goulet (ILL)   8-2
2. Tiffany Eklov/Isabel Jarosz (ILL) def. #46 Kim Plaushines/Debra Streifler (MICH)         8-3
3. Emily Wang/Brianna Knue (ILL) def. Elizabeth Exon/Kavitha Tipirneni (MICH)               8-4

SINGLES: 1. #96 Michelle DaCosta (MICH) def. #34 Jennifer McGaffigan (ILL) 6-2, 4-6, (11-9) 2. #89 Elizabeth Exon (MICH) def. Tiffany Eklov (ILL) 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 3. Cynthya Goulet (ILL) def. Kavitha Tipirneni (MICH) 6-2, 6-3 4. Isabel Jarosz (ILL) def. Chrissie Nolan (MICH) 6-4, 6-1 5. Brianna Knue (ILL) def. Leanne Rutherford (MICH) 6-3, 6-3 6. Eva Choe (ILL) def. Debra Streifler (MICH) 7-6(6), 6-4