April 2, 2005
The Fighting Illini women's tennis team won its first Big Ten road match of the season, topping #68 Ohio State this afternoon in Columbus, Ohio. The Orange and Blue, ranked #53 in the nation this week by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), beat the Buckeyes, 5-2, on the strength of victories at the top two doubles spots and the four highest singles positions.
"It was great to get off to a good start in doubles," said UI Head Coach Sujay Lama. "We didn't win at No. 3, but I was really proud of their effort."
Lama also had to be pleased with the effort of Cynthya Goulet and Emily Wang, who erased a 5-2 deficit on the way to their 8-5 win over Lindsay Adams and Caitlin O'Keefe.
Wang missed last weekend's matches against Penn State and Indiana due to a strained knee, but she returned to action today. She had not practiced until her light workouts the last two days.
"Emily really stepped up for us," said Lama. "I was happy with her determination and effort, just as I was with Macall (Harkins).
Harkins developed a sore knee herself this week and only practiced through Wednesday. She came back after an off match against Indiana last Sunday, and won, 7-6, 6-2 today over OSU's Emily DeCamilla at No. 2 singles.
Goulet, ranked No. 59, continued her strong play at No. 1; she defeated Lindsey Adams, 6-2, 6-1. Freshman Momei Qu kept her roll going with a 6-0, 6-2 dismantling of over Sonia Ruzimovsky at No. 3 singles. Brianna Knue picked up her third victory in a row after a very slow start this season. She won, 7-5, 6-2, at No. 4.
The bottom of the UI lineup continues to struggle. Alexandra Cuadra fell 6-3, 6-3, to Kristin Messmer, and Pavlina Akritas lost, 6-2, 7-6 (4) in the No. 5 and 6 matches, respectively.
With the triumph, the Fighting Illini move to 9-6 overall and 3-1 in Big Ten play; Ohio State is 6-12 and 1-2. The Illini return to the Atkins Tennis Center for a three-match homestand as they take on Michigan State Apr. 9, Michigan Apr. 10 and Notre Dame Apr. 13.
Today's Illinois Results:
Singles: 1. #59 Cynthya Goulet (ILL) def. Lindsey Adams (OSU) 6-2, 6-1 2. Macall Harkins (ILL) def. Emily DeCamilla (OSU) 7-6, 6-2 3. Momei Qu (ILL) def. Sonia Ruzimovsky (OSU) 6-0, 6-2 4. Brianna Knue (ILL) def. Caitlin O'Keefe (OSU) 7-5, 6-2 5. Kristin Messmer (OSU) def. Alejandra Cuadra (ILL) 6-3, 6-3 6. Lindsay Bryan (OSU) def. Pavlina Akritas (ILL) 6-2, 7-6 (7-4)
Doubles: 1. Cynthya Goulet/Emily Wang (ILL) def. Lindsey Adams/Caitlin O'Keefe (OSU) 8-5 2. Macall Harkins/Brianna Knue (ILL) def. Meredith Vincent/Emily DeCamilla (OSU) 8-4 3. Kristin Messmer/Sonia Ruzimovsky (OSU) def. Pavlina Akritas/Momei Qu (ILL) 8-5
