April 24, 2004
The Illini dropped all three doubles matches to fall behind, 1-0. Tiffany Eklov and Isabel Jarosz led, 5-2 in their contest with Dora Vastag and Laura McGaffigan, but couldn't hold on; they lost, of 8-6, at the No. 2 position. Indiana scored the doubles point when Karie Schlukebir and Martina Grimm defeated Eva Choe and Emily Wang, 8-4. Even 15th-ranked Jennifer McGaffigan and Cynthya Goulet couldn't hold off the Hoosiers; they led, 4-0, but ended up succumbing to Sarah Batty and Linda Tran, 8-7 (2).
In singles action, the Orange and Blue tried to rally back but came up one win short. The top of the lineup provided the UI victories. Cynthya Goulet beat Batty 6-3, 6-1 at the No. 3 spot for her 13th singles triumph in a row. At the No. 2 position, Tiffany Eklov dispatched Tran, 6-3, 6-4. Jennifer McGaffigan beat Vastag by a score of 4-6, 7-6, (10-4). With her win today that came after the match was decided, McGaffigan has moved into a tie with Lindsey Nimmo atop Illinois' career singles wins list with 103.
In addition to the loss of the doubles point, the stress fracture to the leg of Illini sophomore Brianna Knue turned out to be critical, since she was unable to compete at her customary No. 5 spot. Jarosz lost, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, to IU freshman Laura McGaffigan, Jennifer's younger sister, in the match at No. 4. Choe took the Hoosiers' Schlukebir to three sets as well, but couldn't cash in; she lost, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. Indiana's Cecile Perton handled Wang, 6-1, 6-0.
"We had plenty of opportunities today, particularly in doubles," said UI Head Coach Sujay Lama. "We just couldn't capitalize. It's so disappointing, so heartbreaking, because our players have worked so hard this season; they certainly deserve a share of the Big Ten regular-season title. At the same time, Indiana played one heck of a match. When they got ahead, they were the aggressors. We'll just have to learn from this one and get ready for the Big Ten Tournament next weekend. It's another opportunity and we have to be ready."
TODAY'S RESULTS:
at No. 25 Indiana 4, No. 16 Illinois 3
DOUBLES:
1. Sarah Batty/Linda Tran (IND) def. Jennifer McGaffigan/Cynthya Goulet (ILL) 8-7 (2)
2. Dora Vastag/Laura McGaffigan (IND) def. Tiffany Eklov/Isabel Jarosz (ILL) 8-6
3. Karie Schlukebir/Martina Grimm (IND)) def. Eva Choe/Emily Wang (ILL) 8-4
SINGLES: 1. Jennifer McGaffigan (ILL) def. Dora Vastag (IND) 4-6, 7-6, 1-0 (4) 2. Tiffany Eklov (ILL) def. Linda Tran (IND) 6-3, 6-4 3. Cynthya Goulet (ILL) def. Sarah Batty (IND) 6-3, 6-1 4. Laura McGaffigan (IND) def. Isabel Jarosz (ILL) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 5. Karie Schlukebir (Ind) def. Eva Choe (ILL) 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 6. Cecile Perton (IND) def. Emily Wang (ILL) 6-1, 6-0
