Feb. 25, 2005
The Illinois women's tennis team did its best to get the foul taste out of its mouth after its disappointing home loss to Western Michigan last Sunday. The Fighting Illini were dominant in their 7-0 victory over the University of Portland this afternoon in Lake Oswego, Ore.
"I told our players that we need to come out aggressive and focused," said UI Head Coach Sujay Lama. They played well, for the most part, in doubles, but where they really shone was in singles."
The Orange and Blue won the doubles point by taking two of three matches. Only the No. 3 tandem tasted defeat for the Illini today. Freshman Momei Qu, a Portland native, had a case of nerves, and was paired up with junior Pavlina Akritas for the first time today. Despite those issues, the duo nearly pulled off a win; they fell, 9-7, to Jaclyn Soltysik and Christina Feyen.
Illinois was particularly effective in taking all six singles matches. Akritas made the most of her start at No. 6, winning, 6-0, 6-2 over Adele Rockett. Freshman Anastasia Sokolova got the nod this afternoon at No. 5, and delivered a win by the same score over Feyen..
"Our No. 5-8 players are so close in ability right now, we'll keep switching the bottom of the lineup according to who is practicing and preparing the best during a given week," Lama explained.
In the middle of the lineup, Lama saw some good news unfold when junior Brianna Knue was victorious at the No. 4 spot. Knue, who had lost four of her last five singles matches, was down 3-0 in the first set, when things turned around. It may have been the advice of Assistant Coach JoAnne Russell that made the difference.
"JoAnne reminded me to be patient and not force the issue so much," said Knue. "I tried to relax and make good shots and let my opponent make the mistakes."
That is, indeed, what happened, as Knue took the last six games of that set and cruised to a 6-1 victory in the second.
Qu settled down and sailed to a 6-1, 6-0 victory in the No. 3 match.
All six contests were two setters. Freshman Macall Harkins was the only Illini who was threatened in any set. She won at No. 2 over Sanja Indic, 6-1, 7-5.
"I was pleased for our players, especially Brianna, today," said Lama. I'm hoping that this match will help to restore her confidence."
Illinois (6-4) will travel north to take on the eighth-ranked Washington Huskies tomorrow. Portland drops to 1-4 with the loss.
TODAY'S ILLINOIS RESULTS:
Singles:
1 No. 36 Cynthya Goulet def. Cristin Sammis (PORT) 6-1, 6-2 2 Macall Harkins (ILL) def. Sanja Indic (PORT) 6-1, 7-5 3 Momei Qu (ILL) def. Jaclyn Soltysik (PORT) 6-1, 6-0 4 Brianna Knue (ILL) def. Alyson Tyson (PORT) 6-3, 6-1 5 Anastasia Sokolova (ILL) def. Christina Feyen (PORT) 6-0, 6-2 6 Pavlina Akritas (ILL) def. Adele Rockett (PORT) 6-0, 6-2
Doubles:
1 Cynthya Goulet/Emily Wang (ILL) def. Cristin Sammis/Alyson Tyson 8-0 2 No. 58 Macall Harkins/Brianna Knue (ILL) def. Sanja Indic/Lindsey Griffin (PORT) 8-1 3 Jaclyn Soltysik/Christina Feyen (PORT) def. Momei Qu/Pavlina Akritas (ILL) 9-7
